Mohun Bagan secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Colombo FC in the first leg of the preliminary AFC Cup qualifiers. Kean Lewis gave the visitors an early lead but Afeez Olayami restored parity with a wonderful solo goal. Against the run of play, Sehnaj Singh’s marvellous long-range effort in the second half proved to be the difference as Bagan head into the second leg carrying a much-needed advantage.
#1 Bagan take lead courtesy rapid counter attack
The disparity in history was evident. Dressed in their familiar green, white and maroon, Bagan are a club that’s 127-years-old. Their opponents, Colombo FC were formed just 8 years ago, in 2008. But knockout games are a different ball game altogether. The visitors started the game cautiously but eventually came into their own.
Around the 15th minute, Colombo lost the ball in the middle of the park. Darryl Duffy made the most of it, marauding forward down the right wing before playing a pass across to Prabir Das. The right back lofted an inch-perfect cross towards Kean Lewis and the winger had the goal at his mercy.
His well-placed header zipped past Colombo’s keeper as Bagan took a well-deserved lead early in the match. That move took all but 6 seconds!
#2 The home side looked extremely dangerous after going down
Post Kean Lewis’s opener, one expected the visitors to go on a rampage and put the game to bed. Instead the home side came to life almost immediately after going down. Colombo created three glorious chances within the space of 5 minutes.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t finish off their moves. The first two chances stemmed from the wing. Afeez Olayami was a live wire and caused havoc from the right. He used his pace and power to bulldoze his way past the Bagan back line. Chalana Chameera then let loose from distance. His stinging shot was calmly parried away by keeper Shilton.
Perceptions of the home side being overawed by the situation were immediately put to rest. Against an experienced Bagan side, Colombo more than held their own.
#3 Afeez Olayami scores a marvellous equaliser for Colombo
A goal almost seemed inevitable. Considering the manner in which Colombo bounced back and applied persistent pressure. It eventually arrived at the half hour mark. Winger, Afeez Olayami picked up the ball from 25 yards out and ran with it. He zipped past Bikramjit like he wasn’t present and unleashed a venomous effort from an acute angle, the ball rifled into the top corner.
Bagan keeper, Shilton never saw that coming. The flight of the ball coupled with the glaring sunlight deceived him completely. From the right wing, Afeez didn’t have much space to play with. Having covered considerable distance, he eventually decided to try his luck rather than feed his teammates who were well placed inside the box. That goal had Gareth Bale written all over it.
#4 Sehnaj Singh’s impeccable effort from distance bails out Bagan
Things hardly looked promising for the visitors. Usual suspects, Katsumi Yusa and Darryl Duffy had an arduous time imposing themselves on the game. Both Yusa and Duffy had wonderful opportunities to give Bagan the lead. But they fluffed their efforts. They were sluggish in possession and were disposed off the ball with relative ease.
To make matters worse, goal scorer, Kean Lewis had to be substituted mid-way due to an injury. Up stepped Sehnaj Singh. With 20 minutes remaining, neither side looked happy with a draw. Substitute, Jeje Lalpekhlua miscontrolled an aerial pass but it fell kindly onto the path of Sehnaj.
The defensive midfielder unleashed a thunderous long-range effort from distance, the ball rocketed into the top corner of the net. That goal came against the run of play. Bagan were pegged back in the second half and desperately needed some inspiration. Singh produced a moment of magic, silencing the home crowd in the process.
#5 Sanjoy Sen cannot afford to rest on this slim advantage
Both sides came into this crunch match in fine form. Mohun Bagan were unbeaten in the I-League after 5 rounds of games. The hosts, on the other hand, had lost just twice in their previous 8 outings. Bagan coach, Sanjoy Sen was very clear that he wouldn’t hesitate in tweaking his formation if required.
While his side usually set up as a 4-4-2, they were up against an unfamiliar team in Colombo FC. Little did he know that their opponents would prove to be such a hard nut to crack. The home side and AFC Cup debutants played their heart out. Colombo controlled the match for large parts of the second half and created numerous chances.
They’d consider themselves unlucky to come out empty handed at the end of 90 minutes. Mohun Bagan were nowhere near their best. Yes, they were missing some crucial players but Sanjoy Sen’s men will need to be at their very best in the second leg, come February 7th.
