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Mohun Bagan struggled to a 1-1 draw with NBP Rainbow AC to lose their perfect streak in the Calcutta Football League 2017. The Mariners had won five out of five matches in the CFL this season but Rainbow ensured that the home side didn't walk away with all three points.
Sujay Mahato's opener for Rainbow in the first half set the nerves jangling for the Mariners before Ansumana Kromah settled them in the second half. With the draw, however, the Green and Maroons overtook East Bengal in the process today.
The Mariners sit atop the CFL 2017 standings having played a game more. East Bengal square off to Patha Chakra tomorrow and will look to usurp Bagan in the table. The all-important Kolkata derby on 24th September becomes even more important for Mohun Bagan now but it remains to be seen how East Bengal fare tomorrow afternoon.
Here is the full CFL 2017 table, updated till today's match.
Mohun Bagan - 16 points - 6 matches
East Bengal - 15 points - 5 matches
Mohammedan Sporting - 10 points - 5 matches
Peerless - 9 points - 5 matches
Tollygunge Agragami - 7 points - 5 matches
Rainbow AC - 5 points - 6 matches
Patha Chakra - 4 points - 4 matches
Calcutta Customs - 3 points - 6 matches
Southern Samity - 1 point - 4 matches
Railway FC - 0 point - 4 matches
East Bengal's match tomorrow could change the fate of the title race. A win tomorrow could possibly spell the end of Mohun Bagan as title challengers but it's not yet over. Mohammedan have recovered well from their opening day defeat to Patha Chakra and have kept pace with the two Maidan giants.
At the other end of the table, Rainbow FC have given themselves a much-needed boost in the relegation battle with the draw today. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been invincibles so far but what Rainbow pulled off today would also inspire other teams to take a similar approach against the big two.
That said, more twists are in the offing as the season progresses. Tomorrow could be a decisive day in the context of the CFL 2017.
