The Hindu : Sport / Football : Bagan overcomes OIL

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Bagan overcomes OIL

Principal Correspondent

BARASAT: Mohun Bagan overcame qualifier Oil India Limited (OIL) 2-1 in the opening round of Group D league in the Federation Cup at the Vidyasagar Stadium here on Friday.

In another match of the same group, Air India rode on Soccor Velho’s 87th-minute goal to beat Vasco SC 1-0.

Mohun Bagan was given a tough time by its rookie opponent which showed good pace and got the home side on the backfoot time and again with speedy counter attacks. Striker Durga Boro almost got the break for OIL in the fourth minute. Boro outran the Bagan defender Habibur Rehman, but his left-footed attempt could not beat the Bagan custodian Sangram Mukerjee.

Bagan salvaged the situation finding the lead in the ninth minute. Brazilian Jose Barreto nodded home the goal making the most of a N. Mohanraj cross. OIL appeared more determined after conceding the goal and worked harder for the equaliser. The visitor levelled in the 36th minute when Boro beat an off-side trap by Bagan defenders and scored.

With its reputation at stake Bagan adopted a three-man attack bringing in its two youthful players Ishfaq Ahmed and P. Lalawmpuia. The ploy worked well as Bagan re-established its dominance over the proceedings in the second session. The home side regained the lead off a 56th minute penalty, which was scored by Barreto.

Controversy

Earlier, the Mohun Bagan-OIL match was mired in controversy over the validity of a player. Bagan charged that OIL had wrongly fielded a player Stephen Njoh — who had previously played for Tripura Ageya Chalo Club in the North East Zone qualifiers of the same tournament. The Cameroon player, who is allegedly on lien from Churchill Brothers, figured in the first OIL team list that was issued before the match. His name was later struck off after Mohun Bagan protested. Bagan has also forwarded a complaint to AIFF.

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