Mohun Bagan Supporters attacked the Patha Chakra team after the game
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan beats Patha Chakra in a nail biting encounter by 5-4 in a tie-breaker to reach the final of 121st IFA Shield at their home ground on Sunday. At the end of regulation time the score was goal-less. Like the earlier matches the Green and Maroon Brigade failed to convert a lot of chances against their opponent. In the second half of the game Mohun Bagan enforced a lot of pressure on Patha Chakra but failed to convert any chances. On the other hand Patha Chakra too played really well in the second half.
During the tie-breaker the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Sanjay Kumar Bhattacharya evolved as the savior of his side as he saved three crucial shots to hand the Green and Maroon a victory. An unwanted incident had happened during the high intensity tie-breaker. After Sanjoy saved two goals for Bagan, Patha Chakra’s Sujay Oraow scored a goal against him and showed some inappropriate gestures to the Bagan fans who were present at the ground to cheer their side. The situation went out of control after this incident as Mohun Bagan supporters threw the bags of Patha Chakra officials. They also hackled the officials and threaten them that they will take the revenge after the end of the game. The Police tried to stop the crowd at that moment.
At the end of the game a few supporters went to celebrate with goal-keeper Sanjay Bhattacharya and the other members of the team. But a mass crowd straight went to Patha Chakra’s bench. Firstly they attacked Patha Chakra’s footballer Sujay Oraow. When coach Parth Sen, team manager Debraj Chatterjee and Physio Arup Manna tried to stop the crowd the supporters hackled them too. Kolkata Police and Mountain Police tried to stop the supporters but the crowd didn’t listen to them.
When the Patha Chakra players were going to the CFC tent the supports again attacked the players on their way.
United Sports official Nabab Bhattacharya said,” I am totally against what Sujay has done today. But during the preparation of the fixtures we urged IFA secretary Utpal Ganguly that we don’t want to play against East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting Club at their home ground as their supporters always do these kind of things. But he didn’t listen to us. We are small teams, so they are behaving like this with my side.”
On being asked whether they will right any letter to the IFA Nabab Bhattacharjee added,” The IFA will not take any steps against the big clubs. Utpal ganguly always support them like he did earlier.”
Hero of the match Sanjay Bhattacharya came to Mohun Bagan academy in the year 2016. Sanjoy sustained an injury on his hamstring during the second half of the match. But he continued to play for his side.” The supporters were cheering me from the back of the goal post which helped me to play the whole game. I want to dedicate this victory to all the supporters of the club. I am a bit disappointed as I could have saved those two goals which they scored against me.”
“Now my aim is to win the IFA Shield. Our coach Jo Paul Ancheri had told me that whatever happens I have to play the game. You are playing in Green and Maroon jersey, who had won the first IFA Shield and you have to win the match for the legacy.”
On being asked about his idol footballer, Sanjoy said Debjit Majumder is my idol and I always want to play like him.