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Regular-article-logo Sunday, 06 July 2025

Bagan eke out a draw

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OUR BUREAU & AGENCIES Published 31.12.14, 12:00 AM

Calcutta/ Vasco: Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC fired blanks in an exciting Group B Hero Federation Cup stalemate here at the Tilak Maidan here on Tuesday.

Both sides found themselves on the wrong side of lady luck as the woodwork came in between twice for either team in the second half.

Substitute Robin Singh and Bagan recruit Sony Nordy’s strikes came off the post and crosspiece respectively. In the first half Bagan had the better chances with marquee player Pierre Boya and India striker Balwant Singh spurning good chances.

Both teams looked cagey in the initial exchanges with the first corner of the game taking 24 minutes to dawn upon the green and maroons. The eight-time Federation Cup winners had the best couple of chances either side of the half to take the lead. In between it was a battle of attrition in the middle of the park as both teams shared spells of possession.

First it was Cameroonian Boya who after being put through by Japanese playmaker Yusa Katsumi, turned his marker effortlessly to shoot straight at BFC custodian Laithuammanwia Ralte from close. In stoppage time, Balwant under-hit a delightful Katsumi right-wing cross straight at the keeper.

The best BFC could muster was a half opportunity where Darren failed to meet a Beikhkhei Beingaichho cross in front of goal.

Chances were better after change of ends as both the sides were denied by the framework. First it was substitute Robin— coming in place of Thoi Singh — whose towering header off Rooney’s cross came off the vertical. Mohun Bagan were then returned the favour as Nordy’s scorcher from 35 yards found the crosspiece.

In between the two misses, Boya’s powerful shot was well saved by Ralte. At the other end, Paul made an important save to deny Rooney at the death as the tie ended in a stalemate.

Bengaluru FC have now played two games and sit atop Group B with four points. The Blues have a well-deserved two-day gap before they take on Shillong Lajong on Friday.

In Margao, Mumbai FC rode a first-half goal from Sampath Kuttymani to down Sporting clube de Goa 1-0 in a Group A match.

Kuttymani headed in on the rebound after captain Climax Lawrence’s corner was punched out by rival goalkeeper Ravi Kumar.

Sporting’s best chance came late in the first half when the deadlock was not broken with Mauvin Broges’s effort from close forcing a good save from Kunal Sawant. Joshimar came close to doubling the lead late in the second half but Clemente Joseph’s fine interception saved further blushes.

Coach Khalid Jamil made five changes to his team that went down 1-2 to Royal Wahingdoh. Goalkeeper Sawant, Stephen, Lawrence, Kuttymani, and Mohammed Rafi started in place of Reisangmi Vashum, Amoes, Nidhil Lal in goal, Pradeep Mohanraj, and Rohit Mirza.

The win sees Mumbai FC register their first points while Sporting will look to pick themselves up in the next game.

Mumbai FC could have taken the lead as early as in the third minute after Jayesh Rane and Mohammed Rafi exchanged passes to finally set up Rane on the edge of the box. The 21-year old Mumbai lad crossed for Taisuke Matsugae only to see the Japanese playmaker’s header go wide.

Six minutes later Lawrence tried his luck from distance but missed by a whisker. At the other end Mauvin Borges drew a decent save from Sawant after Sumit Passi’s initial attempt was also kept out.

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