Calcutta: Defending champions Mohun Bagan did not tick the right boxes in their first match of I-League 2015-16, but still recorded a 3-1 win against debutants Aizawl FC, at the Barasat Stadium, on Saturday.
Cornell Glen scored a brace (fifth and 21st), while Balwant Singh netted the third (29th). Aizawl FC had restored parity through Pritam Kotal's own goal in the 17th minute. In the second half, even though there was no goal, it were the visitors who played a better brand of football. And with a little bit of luck and experience they could have changed the final scoreline too.
Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen was candid at the post-match media conference when he said that Aizawl FC were a better team. "They played better football, particularly in the second half. There's no doubt about that," he said.
Barring Glen and Balwant, and to some extent Kingshuk Debnath, none of the Bagan players did anything to write home about. The midfield faltered big time and the pressure fell on the defence. In the second half, when Aizawl dictated terms, the Bagan defence was chasing shadows. It's just that Aizawl FC did not have enough ammunition upfront.
Once in the second half, H Lalbiakthanga's cross from the right found Alfred Jaryan. The Liberian took a shot only for Debnath to clear it away. And then the visitors had a chance on the edge of the box.
And then in the 79th minute, Albert latched onto an opportunity as his shot grazed past the outside of the net.
It would be harsh to criticise Bagan for their Saturday's performance. Sony Norde, Luciano Sabrosa, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Pranoy Halder are yet to join the squad. You can judge Bagan only after the quartet bolster the squad.
Sen, however, said he would not like to sit back and rue about those who were missing. "Instead, I should talk about the bunch I am working with right now. We need to improve a lot. I haven't seen Pritam going for a single tackle, while Katsumi was surprisingly missing from action. Luckily for us, Glen bailed us out. We have to buck up first," he said.
The game was off to a flier with the opening goal being scored inside five minutes by Glen. The former Lajong forward received the ball on the left and calmly slotted it past the Aizawl custodian Soram Porei to score his first for the I-League champions.
Eleven minutes later, Aizawl managed to restore parity via Kotal's own goal. The FC Pune City fullback pushed the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear the ball from a Jaryan shot.
In the 21st minute, Glenn restored the lead for the hosts. Balwant grabbed the chance on the counter after a corner. <> The forward made a run from the left to find Glen outside the box. The Trinidadian received the ball to swivel 180 degrees and volleyed past a hapless Soram.
The third goal for the hosts came 16 minutes before half-time. Balwant blazed past the Aizawl defenders with his pace and his right-footer found the bottom left corner, beating the ex-Bengaluru FC custodian.
"Mohun Bagan were the better team, but I am proud of my boys. Even when we were 1-3 down, we were upbeat and that's the reason why we put up such a performance in the second half," Aizawl FC's Spanish coach Manuel Retamero said.
TEAMS
Mohun Bagan: Shilton Paul; Pritam Kotal, Kingshuk Debnath, Sanjay Balmuchu, Dhanachandra Singh, Manish Bharghav (Bikramjit Singh 51), Souvik Chakraborti, Katsumi Yusa, Kean Lewis, Balwant Singh, Cornell Glen (Azharuddin Mallick 90+2).
Aizawl FC: Soram Porei; Imanuel Lalthazuala (Ricky Lallawmawma 36), Emmanuel Ugochukwu, Lalchhawnkima, Brendon Vanlalremdika (Laramchullova 79), Albert Zohmingmawia, H Lalbiakthlanga (David Lalrinmuana 74), Lalruatthara, Yuta Kinowaki, R. Malsawmtluanga, Alfred Jaryan.
Referee: CR Srikrishna
MoM: Cornell Glen
RESULTS
In Barasat: Mohun Bagan 3 Aizawl FC 1
In Vasco: Bengaluru FC 2 Salgaocar 1
