Calcutta: It doesn't really matter whether you are outstanding or not. Just getting the basics right, avoiding silly mistakes and not panicking can also get you success. That's what Mohun Bagan proved again.
Sanjoy Sen's men persisted and concentrated on doing the needful as they carved out a crucial 2-0 win over a struggling Dempo, at the Salt Lake Stadium, here, on Sunday. Goals from Dhanachandra Singh and Balwant Singh enabled Bagan dislodge defending champions Bengaluru FC from pole position in the I-League table and occupy the coveted spot.
It's after a long time that Bagan finish the season unbeaten against Dempo, who have been their nemesis in the recent past, especially in the National League. This victory augurs well for Bagan also in the sense that they lock horns with arch-rivals East Bengal in five days' time for the return-leg tie. No wonder they would be the ones to go into the game with a better frame of mind.
The only glitch, something Bagan wished they could have avoided, was the red card to Shehnaj Singh towards close of play, which chucks him out of Saturday's Derby. Bagan can only hope his absence doesn't prove too costly.
That said, the kind of persistence seen from the players is certainly paying dividends. Showing positive intent, Bagan went on the ascendancy when Dhanachandra positioned himself rightly to slot a left-footer home. Dempo goalie Laxmikant Kattimani slapped Katsumi Yusa's corner that went to Balwant. Nirmal Chetri then attempted a clearance, but the ball found Dhanachandra who made no mistake from such a close range.
Thereafter, Balwant sealed the issue with his 85th minute header off a Katsumi free-kick, not before some anxious moments when Dempo tried to up the ante.
TEAMS
Mohun Bagan: Debjit Majumder; Sukhen Dey; Kinshuk Debnath, Bello Rasaq, Dhanachandra Singh (Denson Devadas, 64); Pankaj Moula (Jeje Lalpekhlua, 90+5), Shehnaj Singh, Souvik Chakrabarti, Katsumi Yusa; Pierre Boya (Bikramjit Singh, 89), Balwant Singh.
Dempo: Laxmikant Kattimani; Nirmal Chetri, Rowilson Rodrigues, Fulganco Cardozo, Clifford Miranda; Francis Fernandes (Joy Ferrao, 70), Lenny Rodrigues, Jewel Raja (Mandar Rao Dessai, 73), Haroon Fakhruddin; Carlos Hernandez, Alwyn George (Gabriel Fernandes, 78).
Referee: CR Srikrishna.
MoM: Debjit Majumder.
