I-League 2018-19: Mohun Bagan 2-2 Aizawl FC – Hits and Flops

Mohun Bagan were held on their home turf once again as they drew 2-2 with Aizawl FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. This is Mohun Bagan’s second draw in as many matches, while Aizawl registered their first point of the season after losing their previous match against Shillong Lajong.

The first half was an exciting affair as both Mohun Bagan and Aizawl got their chances. But it was the green-and-maroon who dominated proceedings right from the start. Both their strikers Henry Kisekka and Dipanda Dicka started on an aggressive note.

Dicka went down inside the box a couple of times but there was no penalty as the Aizawl player had touched the ball first. However, Dicka found the back of the net in the 23rd minute from Omar Elhussieny’s pass but the goal was disallowed as the Cameroonian was offside.

However, Aizawl scored surprisingly in the 29th minute, completely against the run of the play. Albert, who had acres of space passed to Lalkhawpuimawia and the Mizoram-born lad scored with a screamer from 25 yards out and Mohun Bagan custodian Sankar Roy had no chance to punch the ball out.

Lalchawnkima, better known as Kimkima, equalised for the green-and-maroons from a Pintu Mahata corner. The centre-back was standing outside the box and finished things off with a delectable finish.

Mohun Bagan started with the same aggressive approach in the half too. To find the winning goal, Mohun Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty introduced club heartthrob Sony Norde in the 64th minute. And what a comeback it was for the Haitian! Within five minutes, Norde dribbled past couple of Aizawl defenders within the box with his darting run and finished it perfectly with a shot in the top right corner.

However, the drama was not over as David Lalrinmuana, who was introduced by Gift Raikhan 20 minutes before the end of the match, brought the scores level and earned a crucial away point for his side with superb free-kick outside the box.

Let us look at the hits and flops of the match:

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#5 Hit: Omar Elhusseiny

This was his second match for Mohun Bagan but Elhusseiny has already shut his doubters. After much discussions and negotiations, Mohun Bagan signed the Egyptian midfielder three weeks ahead of their I-League campaign. After few training sessions, Sankarlal finally gave the nod to sign him.

Elhusseiny controls the ball very well and he’s good passer too. Against Aizawl, he played as a central midfielder but shifted to right wing after Sourav Das came to the pitch. He provided some beautiful crosses to Dicka and Kisekka.

#4 Flop: Ansumana Kromah

Ansumana Kromah knows Kolkata and Mohun Bagan like the palm of his hand. Last season, his name was chanted in the gallery by the green-and-maroon faithful. He was the centre of the attraction of the glittering Mohun Bagan team.

Things have changed so much in the last one year and Kromah, after plying his trade for East Bengal and Peerless SC, went to Aizawl to write new chapters of his life.

Much was expected from the Liberian before he took the field. He knows many of these Mohun Bagan players and was expected to exploit the weak areas of the Kolkata-outfit. Such was his impact that Sankarlal said he had plans for the Liberian.

Kromah failed to shine though in an important match like this. He was kept under arrest by Eze Kingsley and Kimkima. Kromah is dangerous within the box but couldn’t get enough support from his teammates. A thigh injury during the first half may have also played a role.

#3 Hit: David Lalrinmuana

David Lalrinmuana will celebrate his birthday a few days later. But he got a precious gift from himself when he scored against Mohun Bagan in the dying moments to earn his team a point.

David is not unknown in Indian football. He is a former product of Mohun Bagan academy. He had even scored against Manchester United Academy during a tour in England. He has played almost all the youth level tournaments for his state Mizoram. He even plied his trade for ISL club Mumbai City FC and played for East Bengal couple of seasons ago. Now with Aizawl, he is shining again at the highest stage.

He is a good free-kick taker. Two seasons ago, he scored from the same position against Bengaluru FC to silence Kanteerava Stadium. On Saturday, he silenced Salt Lake Stadium also.

He came in as a substitute in the 70th minute, but could not impress as Mohun Bagan were dominating and were looking for their third goal. But the moment of reckoning came in 92nd minute and Lalrinmuana knew it was his chance to be the hero. He did it perfectly.

#2 Flop: Dipanda Dicka

Dipanda Dicka loves to score goals. The Cameroonian has been the highest scorer in the I-League for the last two seasons. First with Shillong Lajong and last year with Mohun Bagan. But on a day when the team needed him the most, Dicka failed to shine. He got some beautiful chances but failed to utilize all of them. If he got his name on the score sheet, the match would’ve ended in favour of Mohun Bagan.

Dicka was deployed as a central striker along with Henry Kisekka. Both of them have already developed an understanding and impressed in Calcutta Football League.

But against a resolute Aizawl side, the duo faced their first real test. Dicka though got few chances thanks to the help of his teammates. But he lost the opportunities every time. He got a goal disallowed by the referee. For Mohun Bagan to find their form this season, Dicka has to start finding the net.

#1 Hit: Sony Norde

Norde’s arrival news was a ‘bolt-out-of-the-blue’ moment for Mohun Bagan fans. When Mohun Bagan signed Omar Elhusseiny as their fifth foreigner, everyone thought the hopes of watching Norde this season is over, as Sankarlal wants someone in defence.

But Mohun Bagan officials didn’t disappoint and brought back Norde this season. The Haitian proved why the decision was right. Since his arrival in the city, Norde kept himself busy in hard work and training. He knew he is not fit and he doesn’t have much time to recuperate. He kept working under physical trainer for two weeks alone.

Finally, before the second match, Norde was declared fit. Sankarlal definitely introduced Norde to get a goal as Mohun Bagan was struggling at that moment. Norde took just five minutes to separate the scores. Apart from the goal, he even provided passes to Kisekka and Dicka. Luck was not in his favour though, as his club couldn’t get full points but deservingly, he was adjudged as the hero of the match.