Kolkata: A day when the level of satisfaction for the oldest I-League football club in India got emancipated of a burden which had been pricking them for 34 long years. For those who vouch that facts, at times, can be stranger than fiction, 25th October could be deemed as that very special day for the Mariners, when the facts propelled to such heights that even fiction, for sure, would not dare to compete with them.
It was a battle between two beleaguered rivals, desperate for three points to bolster their dwindling fortunes in the I-League.
The ninety minutes of flip-flop excitement saw Mohun Bagan leaving the pitch with a spring in their strides, having vanquished arch rivals 5-3, which also relieved them of a 34-year-old burden, a 0-5 humiliation at the hands of East Bengal. A Nigerian named Chidi Edeh framed his name in the illustrious history of the rivalry of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan by scoring four goals on his own.
Today, in its 7th anniversary, www.xtratime.in has tried to trace the Green & Maroon heroes, who presented a night to their fans, which they will never forget.
Shilton Paul: The Mohun Bagan goalkeeper despite conceding three gooals in that game, saved a few goals which would make him immortal to his fans. The super-fit goalkeeper is still one of the top goalkeepers in India and now playing his trade for Hero Indian Super League for Atletico de Kolkata.
Mohan Raj: The speedy left full back had a terrific game on that day, constantly overlapped to push the arch rivals always on the back foot. The boy Tamil Nadu is now busy in playing for Chennaiyin FC in the Hero Indian Super League.
Rakesh Masih: The central defensive midfielder had a make-shift role of a central defender that day and in the second half he put up a stellar show to stop the likes of Yakubu and Mitrovic from coming back in that game. After a successful stint with ATK in the first ISL, the powerful midfielder has played for Tollygunge Agragami this season in the Calcutta Football League.
Sagram Mandi: The tribal lad had a great opportunity to show his calibre in a big game like that and he played a magnificent game specially in the second half to outsmart East Bengal. The central defender didn’t have a rise in his career after that season but his impact in that game can never be forgotten. He is now with Bhowanipore FC who got relegated from the Calcutta Football League Premier A Division this season.
Surkumar Singh: One of the best right full backs of his time, the Imphal born Surkumar Singh was one of the best players in that game. He assisted twice in that game to continue the pressure from the right flank. The North-East lad played more than 50 games for the national team. His last appearance was in the 2014-15 season for United Sikkim FC in the I-League second division. The TFA graduate is now pursuing his “C” license coaching coarse.
James Singh: One of the quickest wingers of all time, another TFA product James had a wonderful game that day. His brisk attacks and set pieces created a lot of problems in the East Bengal defense. The Manipuri mideo is now pursuing his “C” license coaching degree before playing his last stint with United Sikkim FC back in 2014-15 season.
Marcos Pereira: The Brazilian midfielder played as a play-maker in that game and came out with flying colours. A dynamic and hard-working midfielder who used to love pressing on the opposition defense all the time around and had the quality to track back when required. The midfielder has last worked with Brazil Football Academia in Malaysia as a Trainer this year.
Manish Maithani: One of the heroes of that derby. Scored a very fine goal and assisted once to Edeh Chidi to help his side in earning a glorious victory. Manish now plays for FC Pune City in the Indian Super League and goes to Vitória de Guimarães B on loan in Portugal in the remaining part of the season.
Snehasish Chakraborty: The highly talented left winger devastated the opposition defense on his own. The East Bengal defenders failed a number of times to stop Snehasish that day. The winger plays for Southern Samity these days in the Calcutta Football League.
Jose Barreto: One of the greatest foreigners to have played in India. An artist of the game who could change the fortune of the game on his own. The Brazilian star helped Edeh Chidi twice in that derby to complete the humiliation. The Brazilian is now in charge of the Reliance Youth Champs project to discover and nourish the future stars of Indian football.
Edeh Chidi: The Nigerian who snatched the victory on his own on that day by scoring four goals including a hat-trick. Chidi, a menacing forward for any defense to contain on his day. After a rich spell of football in India, Chidi is now playing his trade in Kedah FA in the Malaysia Super League.
Though none of the players play for Mohun Bagan these days except goalkeeper Shilton Paul, the heroes will be alive in the Hall of Fame in the history of the Green and Maroon club for years.