Kolkata: A sensational and memorable show by Dipanda Dicka, helps Mohun Bagan to thump the dreams of the East Bengal side with an absolute clinical performance to shatter their chances to win the battle of pride. The Mariners clinched the game by 2-0, what could have easily been a worse result for Khalid Jamil’s team, had the Bagan forwards capitalized the golden opportunities they got in the remaining part of the game.
Mohun Bagan took everyone into surprise from the opening minute of the game. The Mariners, who were supposed to be the weaker between the two teams in the absence of Sony Norde and Yuta Kinowaki, stunned thousands of East Bengal fans, as struggling Dipanda Dicka blasted the back of the net in the opening minute of the game. Kingfisher East Bengal suffered a massive blow with their main playmaker Mahmoud Al Amna was stretchered off the surface after picking up an injury.
East Bengal on the other hand, East Bengal forwards Willis Plaza and Dudu Omagbemi seemed to be utterly off-coloured. Though to and fro opportunities appeared for the Red and Gold brigade, but Willis Plaza particularly, was entirely blunt on the upfront.
Mohun Bagan doubled their lead in the 35th minute, with Dipanda Dicka scored another breath-taking goal to rattle the morale of the East Bengal side. The scoreline could have been easily 3-0 for Bagan in the first half, unless Luis Barreto made a fine save to prevent Sk Faiaz.
In the second half, East Bengal started the game with a positive note, but goalkeeper Shilton Paul, who has shown an incredible spirit to make himself available for the game despite severe stomach infection and the back four of the mariners including Aussie midfielder Cameron Watson, played their heart out to disappoint the arch rivals. Mohun Bagan could have won it by 5-0 or 6-0 as well as both Akram Moghrabi and Cameron Watson came perilously close for at least thrice when missed the target very narrowly.
With the defeat, it seems that the drought of winning the coveted I-League title for East Bengal is difficult yet again as Minerva and Neroca are now the front runners to make it.