Inspired Md Sporting rub salt on Bagan wounds

Kolkata, Aug 20 (UNI) Subhas Bhowmik proved why he is considered one of the best coaches in the country when he propelled Mohameddan Sporting's seemingly 'over-the-top' footballers to a commanding 2-1 win against a star studded Mohun Bagan here today.

He did two things to begin with. He employed a stubborn Jamir Ali Mondal and Bijen Singh to slash Bagan's supply line and secondly bottled up Baichung Bhutia. And the result showed.

The first goal came from a set piece just outside the box in the 17th minute. The zone that was named Douglas-Zone when he donned the East Bengal colours, came alive today when his freekick from the left of the box found the bottom of the cross-piece before entering the net (1-0).

The green-maroons restored parity in style within four minutes. A Dipak Mondal centre from the deep saw Baichung Bhutia heading the ball down for Dippendu Biswas. Dippendu repaid the faith the team has shown on him and dodged past Douglas and Debjit Ghosh to volley home (1-1).

With the goal Dippendu reached the 200th goal mark in domestic soccer, a feat only achieved by I M Vijayan and Baichung Bhutia.

Mohameddan Sporting shot into lead again in the 52nd minute when Debjit Ghosh's centre saw Mike Okoro setting up Raman Vijayan, whose power-packed volley found the target (2-1).

In the 58th minute Okoro failed with only Subrata Pal to beat while in the 74th minute of the match Mohameddan almost increased their tally when Jamir Ali's blockbuster brought the best out of an air-borne Bagan keeper Subrata Pal.

In comparison Mohun Bagan's half line never came alive during the match and their cup of woes overflowed having suffered to their second defeat in Kolkata Premier League.

When Mohameddan Sporting made their team with the likes of Douglas D'Silva, Debjit Ghosh, Bijen Singh and Noel Wilson, many experts had in closed circuits had a quiet laugh on the team's prospects with a bunch of so called 'discards'. However, soccer pedigree is something different and it seems the players want to give their last flash this season before they burn-out.

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