Bagan beat Churchill Brothers 2-1

Kolkata, Jan 31 (UNI) Mohun Bagan today defeated Churchill Brothers 2-1 in their 14th round tie of the I-league here.

Bagan, with seven wins from 14 outings, now have 24 points, while Churchill with eight wins from the same number of outings are on 26.

Bagan took the lead three minutes into the game when Baichung Bhutia volleyed home 1-0. They increased the lead in the 31st minute off a corner. The low cross saw Baichung flick the ball and Habibur Rehman slotted home to make it 2-0.

Six minutes later, Churchill reduced the margin when Vashum's minus saw Odafe Okolie in the midst of things. Hemmed in by four Bagan defenders, Odafe squeezed the ball to Mboyo Iyomi who volleyed home. With the score at 2-1, the match was on.

Bagan had the best chance of the match when Bhutia beat the Churchill goalie, but the failed to push the ball into an empty net.

The second half saw Churchill press for the equaliser. While Mboyo and Odafe kept the defence on tenterhooks, Vashum and Roberts kept up the pressure with continuous supply of balls from the flanks.

However, Habibur had a brilliant outing bottling up Odafe throughout the match. He was given the man of the match, which he deserved.

UNI BA PC AB KJP2130