The Hindu : Sport / Football : Mohun Bagan bags Federation Cup

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Mohun Bagan bags Federation Cup

Principal Correspondent

Barreto’s goal gives Kolkata giant its 13th title

— Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

MEMORABLE DAY: The Mohun Bagan players are ecstatic after regaining the Federation Cup.

KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan embellished its brilliant record in the Federation Cup with yet another title — its 13th — here on Sunday.

In the final of the 30th edition of the tournament at the Salt Lake Stadium, the home side beat favourite Dempo SC of Goa by a solitary goal.

Brazilian striker Jose Ramirez Barreto got the winner in the middle of the second session to help Bagan regain the title after a one-year break. The win also sealed an AFC Cup berth for Bagan.

Consistently cohesive

Bagan was a transformed side in the final and outplayed Dempo in all departments of the game.

It came up with brilliant attacking variations that spoiled the game plan of its opponent.

The Bagan midfield too remained consistently cohesive and allowed Dempo little space.

Altering their roles as the interceptor and provider, the Bagan centre halves — Brazilian Marcos Pereira and Lalkamal Bhowmik — helped the home side maintain a steady stream of attacks.

The absence of injured skipper Baichung Bhutia did not seem to affect Bagan’s performance and it definitely appeared to have the motivation for the big occasion.

Bagan, making good use of the flanks, got the first opportunity in the eighth minute when Barreto beat the Dempo defence with a neat cross only to see the onrushing left-winger Ishfaq Ahmed mess it up.

A minute later, Bagan attacked again but a timely clearance by Dempo stopper-back Dominic Noronha prevented Shylo Malswamtluanga from taking a shy at the goal.

Ishfaq Ahmed and P. Lalwampuia, who replaced Bhutia, had two more attempts before Bagan got its best chance of the first session.

The 29th minute opportunity saw defender Dipak Mondal initiating the attack with a long floater that was controlled and kept in play by Ishfaq.

The winger ran up the left flank before essaying a swerving cross for Barreto, whose sharp header was saved by Dempo custodian V.P. Satish Kumar.

Dempo earned three corners in the space of two minutes at the fag end of the first half but failed to make good use of them as the Bagan defenders held firm.

Bagan returned with the same intensity after the change of ends.

Dempo came up with a counter-offensive in the 50th minute but forward Joaquim Abranches could not make any dent despite getting close to the Bagan goal.

In the 53rd minute, Satish came to Dempo’s rescue yet again when he tipped over a Lalawmpuia header.

With Bagan attacking relentlessly, the diminutive Dempo custodian finally succumbed in the 68th minute.

The goal came off a set-piece. Satish misjudged the flight and managed only a weak push while trying to clear a swerving corner from Lalkamal.

Bagan defender Habibur Rahman headed the ball down for Barreto who volleyed home.

Big blow

Dempo suffered another blow in the 81st minute when striker Ranty Martins received his second booking and was given the marching orders by Tamil Nadu referee T. Pradeep Kumar. Down to 10 men, the visiting side’s hopes of a comeback simply faded away.

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