Mohun Bagan hold Churchill Brothers to 2-2 draw

Margao, Dec 16 (UNI) Ten-men Mohun Bagan held Durand Cup Champions Churchill Brothers to 2-2 draw and split points in their 6th round of ONGC I- League championship match being played here at Nehru stadium Fatorda today.

All the four goals came in the second half. Dharamjit Singh in the 47th minute and Baichung Bhutia in the 70th minute scored for Bagan while for Churchill Brothers, goals came through Odafe Okolie in the 67th minute and Mboyo Iyomi in the 71st minute.

In a fast pace first half, it was a tale of missed chances for both the teams. Churchill Brothers initiated their first good move in the 6th minute with Striker Odafe Okolie who after dodging past rival defender N S Mnaju unleashed a shot which hit Mohan Raj and went for an abortive corner.

Mohun Bagan came near scoring in the 25th minute when Habibur Rehman from the right flank sent a cross pass to Baichung Bhutia whose header was smartly saved by Churchill goalkeeper Vinay Singh.

Ten minutes later Bagan's Dharamjit Singh gave a cross pass to Jose Ramire Baretto who after dribbling past rival defender L Robert passed the ball to better placed Bhutia but Churchill defender Osba Kalu timely cleared it safely.

Churchill had a chance to move ahead in the injury minute of the first half but Mboyo Iyomi's header went over the bar of a free kick pass from L Robert.

After a barren first half, Mohun Bagan played with renewed vigour and shot into the lead in the 47th minute through Dharamjit Singh.

In the 53rd minute, Mohan Bagan were reduced to ten men when the referee gave marching order to defender Mohan Raj for booking with two yellow cards.

Churchill restored parity in the 67th minute through Odafe Okolie of a well measured pass received from Reisangmi Vashum, equalling the score.

Mohun Bagan increased their lead in the 70th minute through Bhutia whose header found the net of a pass from Jose Ramirez Baretto taking the scoreboard to 2-1.

In the counter attack Churchill equalised through Mboyo Iyomi off a good pass sent by Odafe to make it 2-2.

At the close of the play both the teams made some deseprate attempts for the match winner but without much luck.

Churchill forward Mboyo Iyomi was adjudged the man of the match for his fine performance.

With this drawn match, Churchill Brothers increased their points tally to 10 points from six outings while Mohun Bagan took their tally to 5 points from equal number of outings.

UNI