Kolkata: Mohun Bagan got the better off Southern Samity by a margin of 1-0 in their third CFL encounter today in their home ground. Amidst difficult conditions, Mohun Bagan’s Ajay Singh (81′) netted the solitary goal of the match to help Bagan secure top spot in the league table.
On a slushy and wet outfield both the teams found it difficult to keep the ball as water was pouring out of the ground. As time passed by both the teams gradually adjusted themselves into the grove.
Bagan made one change from their last match as Pankaj Moula made way for Saran Singh while Southern Samity started with Eche in defense and Liberian striker Taures upfront and Eva Rooney resting on the bench.
Bagan had the upper hand in first 30 minutes of the match but could not get the all important goal which matters the most in a football. Southern goalkeeper Sourav Chakraborty came to rhe rescue several times in first half an hour.
Southern Samity gradually took the possession over the ball as they used their flanks well with Basanta Singh and experienced Snehashis Chakaraborty helped the way out. Southern mostly counted on experience customer this year in the likes of Deepak Mondal, Antoni Soren and Ashim Biswas.
Bagan’s young defenders marked Taures pretty well specially Sanjay Balmuchu was leading the defense today.Whenever Taures had the ball one or two Bagan players was always there to cover him and mark him as they did not give him any empty spaces.
At times when the match looked bored and people thought it is going to be a goalless draw, there were some frequent attacks made to cheer the crowd and like this in the 81st minute, Bagan got their match winning goal from Ajay Singh.
It was young Azhar who set up the goal for Ajay through an excellent minus and Ajay made no mistake to curl it into the net. Azhar too was adjudged Man of the match for his terrific display today.
Although Southern Samity had the upper hand in the second half, but the solitary goal for Bagan broke the heart of Southern players and brought smile to the faces of Bagan fans.
Shankarlal said, “People are saying it was tough match as we got the goal late but everybody have witnessed what was the condition of the pitch. I am happy with the team’s performance as a whole. Southern also played well.”
Scorer Ajay Singh said, “Scoring a goal for a big club like Mohun Bagan is always special. But the credit should go to Azhar from whose minus I scored the all important goal. I am happy that the team has won.”