Pic Courtesy: XtraTime
Kolkata: In front of 64,630 football crazy fanatics, Salt Lake Stadium witnessed what happens to be a brilliant game of football. Mohun Bagan comfortably defeated their arch-rivals East Bengal 1-0 by a brilliant header from Kingsley in the 39th minute of the game.
Both the sides missed wonderful opportunities, however a clinical finish is what separated the two sides in the all important mega derby, and first Kolkata derby of the Hero I-League 2017-18.
With end to end action in the first half of the game, Bagan drew the first blood in the 39th minute owing to a brilliant cross by Sony Norde and Kingsley headed it home in the back of the empty net.
The first 10 minutes of the derby saw the Red and Gold brigade dominating and threatening to take an early lead. Mehtab Singh of East Bengal was the first player to get substituted in the 21st minute of the game as he saw an early yellow card. The first real opening came in 29th minute of the game as Brandon delivered the perfect cross from the left and all that Plaza needed was to get his head on it but missed the header completely. With both the teams becoming aggressive and lots of unnecessary fouls being committed. A perfect delivery from Sony Norde and a clean Kingsley’s header saw the Mariners going to the first half with a 1-0 lead.
With renewed vigour to pull one back East Bengal made an important half time substitution as Bazie paved way for striker Charles. The second half of the derby however was un-entertaining despite the fact that both the teams tried hard to put the ball at the back of the net. Debutant Yuta Kinowaki put up a fantastic fight against his fellow Japanese rival Katsumi Yusa who donned the other coloured jersey for the first time.
From Shilton Paul making excellent saves to Katsumi missing a direct free-kicks the game had everything. From scoring the lone goal to being a rock in the defence, Kingsley was adjudged the Hero of the Game.
Without a win in the last 5 I-League derbies, East Bengal would be eager to set their momentum right and get back into winning ways.