Internet Desk: Mohun Bagan thrashed South China 4-0 to continue their dream run in the AFC Cup. Goals from Lenny Rodrigues (15′), Sony Norde (39′), Cornell Glen (45′) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (82′) secured three points for the Mariners, taking them to the top of the group.
Before departing for the AFC Cup campaign against South China AA at Hong Kong, Sony Norde said that Mohun Bagan deserve to play the finals of the AFC Cup and the way the proceedings are on, Sony Norde’s comments might be true. Atleast, Mohun Bagan fans can dream of something special in the AFC Cup, the way Bagan is playing, Bagan have scored 9 goals in total in two matches which itself is a record for any Indian club participated in the AFC Cup.
The Mariners travelled to the Mongkok stadium with coach Sanjoy Sen on the touchline. Dhanachandra Singh, Raju Gaikwad and the injured Brandon Fernandes missed out as Pronay Halder, Prabir Das and Pritam Kotal featured in the starting eleven.
The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute. Katsumi Yusa delivered a free-kick from 19 yards out which was parried away by keeper Hing Kit. The loose ball was collected by an unmarked Lenny Rodrigues and the 26-year-old headed it home to open the scoring for the visitors.
South China’s Che Runqui was given marching orders a minute later for a foul on Pronay Halder which earned him his second yellow card just two minutes after his initial booking.
On the half hour mark, Jeje tried to get onto the scoresheet but the his effort went over the bar.
Norde scored a peach of a goal in the 39th minute. The Haitian intercepted a ball meant for Chi Yung and after cutting past his marker, turned left and deposited the ball right into the far corner.
The scoreline remained 3-0 at the end of the first half.
A minute short of the break, Glen made it three for the less fancied visitors. Following a neat one-two with Norde, the Trinidadian dodged the ball from the defenders as he beat custodian Hing Kit to put his side in cruise control.
South China looked a unsettled unit and with only ten men at half-time, the onus was on the visitors to make their trip to Hong Kong count.
In the 82nd minute, Jeje nailed the last pin in the coffin for the hosts. Katsumi curled a freekick from 20 yards and Jeje headed it right into the corner.
Mohun Bagan looked unstoppable in the full 90 minutes and it seems that they will continue their jubiliant form in the I-league and AFC Cup.