What a terrific night of Football. The match had set backs, come backs, controversy, rain all the ingredients for a beautiful spectacles. In one point completely out played by the opponent and then make a comeback to dominate the later half. One thing for sure whenever these two teams meet there was no shortage of goals.
Very uncharacteristically Mohun Bagan made a shaky start and North East player Ajaraie hit the woodwork on the very first minute of the match. He again trouble the Mohun Bagan defense on 5th minute from left hand side and from his cut back BEMMAMER scored a 25 yard grounder to silent the Yuva Bharati (0-1). Mohun Bagan didn’t create any clear cut chances till then and their mid field was completely out played by resilient North East team. They never gave an inch of space to structure a positive move for the home team. However, on the 9th minute of the game Petratos was unnecessarily fouled by the Mayakkannan. Although, North East played good brand of football for quite some time but they are still vulnerable from the set piece. Mohun Bagan capitalize that when Petratos put the long ball from 45 yards into the box, Mohun Bagan shining youngster Dipendu attack the ball and headed into the second post and made the score level (1-1). North East again restore the lead on 24th minute from a terrific counter attack or should I say a horrible defensive transition showcased by Mohun Bagan players gifted the goal to North East. It was another Mohun Bagan freekick where Greg Stewert took a short which was deflected and land on the feet of Guillermo. He then move the ball to his left to Ajaraie and he then switched the ball to far right towards Jitin MS he then out run Anirudh Thapa and pass it back to Ajaraie on the left and he slots it into the 2nd post (1-2). Now, why we tagged that as horrible defensive transition of Mohun Bagan players. It was Apuia, Ashish Rai and Liston’s duty to cater the threat of counter attack from the opponents but Apuia unnecessarily enter into the box and Liston also stands outside the box while Ashish Rai also out of the position. When it was all through to Ajaraie it was never possible for Aldred and Dipendu to track back 80 yards and counter the attack of North East. Mohun Bagan defenders played decent match but their vulnerability from counter attack is still unresolved in back to back games.
After North reclaim the lead Mohun Bagan slowly controlled the midfield and dictate the terms in this period Manvir had a chance from Petratos but his weak shot from outside the box way off target. On 38th minute Liston Colaco able to crack down the North East defense from the left hand side for the first time and delivered a minus to unmarked Greg Stewert inside the box but his first time grounder brilliantly saved from the goal line by North East Captain Zabaco.
In the second half North East made some attack in patches but couldn’t quite penetrate the Mohun Bagan defense. Finally on the 61st minute Mohun Bagan got their much needed equalizer from another set piece. It was first dealt by the North East defense but when Greg Stewert delivered a cross deep into the box North East defenders again allowed Tom Aldred to headed towards the goal. North East hero of Durand Final Gurmeet couldn’t dealt with the ball properly and Bagan’s captain Subhasish Bose capitalize the situation (2-2). Before that Mohun Bagan introduce Sahal and Cummings into the pitch on 59th minute and since then Mohun Bagan had the control of the midfield and winning the second balls in numbers. On the 78th minute the much awaited substitution of Jamie Maclaren happened when he came on the pitch replacing Dimi Petratos who had a quite night despite his first goal assist. Maclaren did get a golden opportunity on 85th minute when Gurmeet came out of his goal line and even landed outside the box quite unnecessarily. However, Maclaren effort denied by the Asheer Akhtar. When Maclaren and Cummings combined upfront it was difficult for North East Defenders to cater this double threat. Sometimes Jason draw the defenders and leave a space for Maclaren and the same by Maclaren too. Finally Mohun Bagan took the lead on 87th minute when Apuia win a loose ball on the attacking half and pass it Greg and Greg saw Sahal on the left who then delivered a pass to Jason Cummings who waited for the opportunity inside the box and with his first time shot Mohun Bagan taken the lead (3-2). Because of Maclaren moving towards the goal defenders anticipated a upfront pass from Sahal and with Jamie drawing all the defenders it was Cummings who left unmarked and seize the opportunity in full hands. It was obvious that why everybody was praised Jason Cummings goal scoring ability. It was him who confused the North East defense and specially their captain Zabaco. He was completely unmarked and when North East realized that it was all too late.
It was a satisfactory win specially a late come back and it will surely boost the confidence of the players after the series of draws. Mohun Bagan will play on 28th in Kanteerava against Bengaluru FC who are sitting top of the table without conceding a single goal till now. Anyway, it was a memorable night for the Mariners at VYBK.
