Katsumi’s Strike Secures Top Spot For The Unbeaten Mariners

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Katsumi Celebrating his goal. Image Source: XtraTime


Barasat: Mohun Bagan thumped Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 in an I-League encounter in Kolkata, on Saturday. Katsumi Yusa’s (73′) solitary goal of the game helped the Mariners secure all three points for his team.

The home team made three changes with Kean Lewis, Balwant Singh and Sarthak Golui making way for Raju Gaikwad, Brandon Fernandes and Pronay Halder.

The visitors made two changes with Glan Martins and Densil Theobald replacing Mahmoud Al Amenah and Marcus Mascarenhas in the starting line-up. Mohun Bagan missed the services of coach Sanjoy Sen at the dugout as he was absent due to illness. Assistant coach Sankarlal Chakraborty guided the team.

The hosts created the first real chance of the game in the 11th minute on the counter-attack. Sony Norde released Dhanachandra on the left and the Manipuri full-back’s cross hit the bar before being pushed away by Arindam. Cornell Glen nearly pounced on the rebound but Fulganco Cardozo was there to clear the danger.

Mohun Bagan was forced to make an early substitution in the 29th minute of the match as he got badly injured in his throat and he was soon taken to the hospital for treatment. Souvik Chakraborty replaced him. Though we came to know after the match that Brandon is stable now.

The home side’s appeal for a penalty in the 36th minute was turned down as Katsumi Yusa went down inside the box following a challenge from Ravanan.

In the very next minute Odafa had a shot from the edge of the box but it was well above the goalpost. Bagan had another penalty claim denied in the 41st minute with Souvik hitting the deck this time.

At the end of the first half the score line remained goalless.

Just at the beginning of the second half Sony had an open chance from a free-kick but Katsumi failed to keep the ball in the goal as his shot was blocked by the defender.

In the 66th minute, Glan Martins found space inside the box to pull the trigger but he scuffed his effort and it rolled tamely into Debjit’s hands.

The defending champions finally made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute. Katsumi began the run with a cross to the far post where Norde was unable to get his shot away but managed to play it back into the gander area. Jeje Lalpekhlua missed the ball but an unmarked Katsumi had ghosted in at the far post and defeated Arindam with a shot on the turn.

Sporting had an opportunity to equalize in the 80th minute with Odafa firing a shot at goal but Debjit was positioned well again to deny the Nigerian.

The match ended 1-0 in favor of the hosts who moved three points clear at the top of the table while Sporting remain in fourth with 11 points from eight games. Katsumi was adjudged Man of the Match for his winning goal.

The Haitian Striker quoted after the match, “ The match against Lajong was a bad day at the office. I am happy we are back to winning ways and are leading the table. I am also happy that the goal came off my pass. But truly speaking, I am not 100% fit.” On asking about Glen’s poor performance, Sony added, “He is a good striker and will come back into form soon.”. On asking about Sanjoy Sen, Sony Signed off saying, “ This victory will work as a medicine for our coach and he will back to practice on Monday.”

Odafa looked very disastrous at the press conference with his performance. He quoted as saying,”It’s a bad day for us. We created a lot of chances but failed to convert those. Mohun Bagan is a good side with good foreigners and we were in no match with them. We played with 2 foreigners while they had their full quota of foreigners.” Although Sporting played with three foreigners, Odafa mentioned two foreigners. Odafa did not answer a single question about Sony Norde as he was booed by the Mohun Bagan fans in the match. He had to hear the same old chant “ Go back Odafa”.

Mariners Assistant Coach Shankarlal Chakroborty Later added, “ I had a chat with Sanjoy da before the match as well as in the half-time. He advised us to use the flanks well.”

Mohun Bagan will miss the services of Pronay Halder and Luciano in an away clash against Salgaocar on 27th February due to suspension.

Meanwhile Mohun Bagan players Luciano Sabrosa and Katsumi Yusa had a random dope test before the match.

On the other hand Aizawl FC defeated Mumbai FC 2-0 at their home soil.