Giant killers Wahingdoh make merry - Match Report

Royal Wahingdoh 2 (Chenco – 49^th and 54^th)

Beat

McDowell Mohun Bagan 1 (Ashim Biswas 75^th)

Football isn’t about big names. At least the changing face of Indian football suggests so. The changing face of Indian football further suggests that modern day football is all about fitness. Whoever you may be, an unfit player will almost find it impossible to make an impact on the field.

Qualifiers Royal Wahingdoh made McDowell Mohun Bagan, a heavyweight on paper to run all over as their kicked-off their campaign in the Federation Cup in style winning 2-1. Exposing the Bagan defence, Chenco scored a brace only within a span of 6 minutes. Ashim Biswas managed to pull one back in the 75^th minute.

Bagan were unlucky not to have surged into the lead in the first half. Once Sunil Chhetri was deprived by the post twice and then Barreto’s head hit the crosspiece. But that was all in the first half.

Changing over, it was an entirely different ball game. Taking advantage of Bagan’s three-man defence, Wahingdoh stretched the game to the flanks. And a slow Rakesh Masih and Anwar Ali further helped their cause. Add to that, a frustrated NP Pradeep being sent off for a second yellow, Bagan failed to match the Wahingdoh pace.

Almost everytime Wahingdoh had the ball in the second half, Bagan panicked. Wahingdoh ran down the middle, switched it to the flanks, and played one-twos at will — Bagan stayed helpless. In fact, Bagan who just couldn’t get possession of the ball were lucky not to concede more.

Pune FC tame Dempo: In a Group C match played in Kolkata, Pune FC made short work of Dempo SC 2-1. Pune FC surged into the lead as early as the 8^th minute through Mandjou Keita. And then, Jeje Lalpeklua doubled the score in the 20nd minute. Dempo pulled one back through Joy Ferrao in the 89^th minute.

It was a totally one-sided match where Pune FC pressed hard and never allowed Dempo to settle down. The flurry of Pune attacks further bogged Dempo down.