Mohun Bagan salvage a point versus Chirag United

Kolkata, Aug 17 (UNI) Title holders Mohun Bagan dropped a vital point to Chirag United after they held 1-1 in the second leg of Sahara Kolkata Football League here today.

Trailing by an early goal from Lal Malswama Hmar of Chirag United, Mohun Bagan rallied from behind to level the score owing to the brilliance of Jose Ramirez Barreto in the 30th minute.

Chirag United, fighting relegation in the eight-team competition under coach Subrata Bhattacharjee, surged ahead early in the game when CU captain Hmar, following a long through, shot home. He shot home when Muritalawa Ali's header was repulsed by Bagan goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee in the first half.

Stung by the reverse, Mohun Bagan kept attacking the rival's goalpost but CU's custodian Arindam Ghosh seemed unbeatable. He saved two sure goal scoring chances.

But Bagan restored parity through Barreto as the Brazilian, in a melee shot, hit target after Ghosh failed to clear completely, 15 minutes from water break.

The goal earned Bagan a point and total 20 in the tournament from nine matches, same as Mohammedan Sporting, but five points ahead of East Bengal. But the green and marooon were at the top of the league table with better goal average.

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