Mohan Bagan pips Salgacar by 5-4, Salgaocar excel with hattrick

Margao, Goa, Dec 22 (UNI) A 71st minute goal by substitute James Singh guided former champions Mohan Bagan as they edged out a fighting Salgaocar Sports Club 5-4 to register their second win in the 7th round of ONGC I league championship match being played here at the Nehru stadium Fatorda, today.

Bhiachung Bhutia (3rd minute), Jose Ramiraz Barreto (32nd 35th minute), Jonathan Bobo (44th minute), Substitute James Singh (71st minute) scored for Mohan Bagan. While Boniface Ambani (13th minute), Felix Chimawkou in (20th, 52nd and 65th minute) scored for Salgaocar. Felix was later announced the man of the match for his hattrick.

In a fast pace match, Mohan Bagan began on a rousing note with total control of the midfield and attacked well. They shot into the lead as early as the 3rd minute through their prolific striker Bhaichung Bhutia. When Jose Ramiraz Barreto unleashed a shot which Salgaocar goalkeeper Milagrio Medeira blocked which then rebounded towards Bhutia who pounced upon the opportunity and just trapped the ball into the net to make it 1-0.

Salgaocar equalised in the 13th minute of the first half through Boniface Ambani. When Felix gave a long pass to Ambani who controled the ball and deceived rival goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee and made it 1-1.

Inspired by the equaliser, Salgaocar continued to attack and increased their lead through Felix off a penalty awarded to them in the 20th minute by referee Dinesh Nair when Mohan Bagan defender Rauf Khan brought down Felix in the penalty area. Felix himself converted the spot kick to make it 2-1.

Stung by the debacle, Mohan Bagan brought in P Lalan Puia in place of Lalkamal in the 31st minute and then the complexion of Bagan play was completely changed. In the next minute Mohan Bagan restored the parity through Barreto off a pass from Puia to make it 2-2 and then increased their lead in the 35th minute through Barreto whose powerpacked header found the net off a cross pass from Lalan Puia to make it 3-2.

In the 43rd minute Bagan could have further increased their lead but substitute Puia, who only beat rival goalkeeper shot wide. It was a well measured pass from Bhutia.

A minute before the long whistle, the visitors increased their lead through Jonathan Bobo whose header found the net following the flag kick by Dharamjit Singh and at half time Bagan were leading by 4-2.

After the cross over, Salgaocar played with renewed vigour and reduced the margin in the 52nd minute through Felix, whose direct free kick found the net for 4-3.

In the 65th minute, Salgaocar leveled the score through Felix, his two goals in quick success into make it 4-4. It was a cross pass from the left flank by Rochus Lamare.

Mohan Bagan's substitute James Singh, who came in place of S Venkatesh scored in the 71st minute off a direct free kick which found the net to make it 5-4 in favour of Bagan.

With this win Mohan Bagan increased their points tally to 8 points from two wins two draws from seven outings, while Salgaocar remained on same three points from three drawn matches from equal number of outings.

UNI