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Mohun Bagan took a giant leap towards the I-League title as they drubbed Royal Wahingdoh at Kolkata 2-0. Pritam Kotal and Sony Norde scored in each half to secure crucial three points for the Mariners and helped their side to reach the summit in the league table.
The Kolkata giants were without their marquee striker Pierre Boya in today’s game. Kungshuk Debnath and Sukhen Dey too were inducted into the starting XI in place of Dhanachandra Singh and Anwar Ali. In-form goalkeeper Debjit Majumder missed the clash due to an injury which pushed club captain Shilton Paul into the starting lineup. The Green and Maroon brigade were in a do or die situation in this game after they lost three of their previous five away matches.
Mohun Bagan dominated the proceedings from the very first minute. They got an early chance in the 8th minute of the game when midfielder Sehnaj Singh got an opportunity to shoot at the goal from just outside the box. Unfortunately, his shot went wide. The home side had most of the chances in the first half. In the 12th minute, Katsumi Yusa’s corner got deflected of Densil Theobald and was going inside the net. Thankfully Nikhil Bernard saved it to avoid danger. Sony Norde won a free-kick in the 24th minute, but his effort was easily saved by Royal Wahingdoh custodian.
Kotal genius helps depleted Bagan break deadlock
The home side broke the deadlock in the 26th minute from wing back Pritam Kotal’s foot. Kotal ran down the right flank swiftly and attempted a cross inside the penalty box. His cross took an unexpected turn and went inside the net. The goal from a naked eye looked like a spectacular one. Royal Wahingdoh too pressed well in the Mohun Bagan half and created a lot of chances. It was an exciting first 45 minutes at Barasat.
As the match resumed in the second half, Godwin Franco took a blinder of a shot from 25 yards away at the Mohun Bagan goal, but Shilton Paul did a commendable job to save it. Mohun Bagan doubled their lead in the 63rd minute as Katsumi Yusa was brought down just outside the penalty box. Haitian international Sony Norde attempted a shot which took a deflection of the Royal Wahingdoh wall and went inside. Another spectacular shot and it was almost game set and match for the Mariners.
Royal Wahingdoh got a few more chances to pull one back, but the Bagan defenders were vigilant enough to deny them. Mohun Bagan move above Bengaluru FC at the pole position with 35 points from 18 matches. They needed a win to remain in the title race and accordingly they bagged the three vital points.
