XtraTime Web Desk: Mohun Bagan finally finishes third as the Green and Maroon brigade was held to a 1-1 draw by Gokulam Kerala FC at Kozikhode today.
The Kolkata giants started the game on the front foot and had several good chances to score in the opening quarter of the game. Nikhil Kadam’s dangerous cross from the right missed target Akram Moghrabi inside the box before the winger saw his deflected effort fly inches wide of Barnard’s goal.
Mohun Bagan’s dominant start was rewarded in the 26th minute. Cameron Watson’s stinging shot from the edge of the box struck the crossbar and fell into the path of Aser Dipanda Dicka who nodded the ball into the net to open the scoring.
Gokulam Kerala were back on their feet in no time as they poked and prodded the Bagan backline in search of an equaliser. Henry Kisekka once again proved his value to Bino George’s side with a poacher’s goal just before the half-time whistle. Rana Gharami misjudged the flight of a long ball and slipped at the wrong time to allow Rashid to head the ball into the path of Kisekka who made no mistake from close-range.
Arjun Jayaraj caused havoc inside the Bagan box at the hour-mark as he dribbled with pace before taking a shot at goal. His deflected effort fell to Rashid whose back-heel pass found Jayaraj on the right inside the box once again. The youngster’s curling effort was kept out by an alert Shilton Paul who dived low to his left.
Dipanda spurned a wonderful chance with ten minutes left in the game. Arijit Bagui’s free-kick from the right found an unmarked Dipanda at the far post but the striker failed to control his header and direct it at goal.
Mohun Bagan and Gokulam both pressed hard in the vsecond half, but neither teams managed to snatch the winning goal.