Bagan ride Odafa’s late goal to edge past Mumbai FC
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- By Football Fans Manipur
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KALYANI, April 10: Mohun Bagan’s Nigerian goal machine, Odafa Okolie, did the star turn once again as the home side edged past visitors Mumbai FC 3-2 in a close encounter of the I-League at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday (April 10).
Odafa scored twice, including the injury-time winner, while is Australian colleague upfront, Tolgay Ozbey, scored once. Mumbai found their goals through Darren Caldeira and John Coutinho.
The first session was mostly about Mohun Bagan’s dominance. Of the few chances that the hosts created Tolgay could finish one in the most spectacular fashion.
The 35th minute goal spoke about the Australian’s skillfulness as he received a through ball from Snehasish Chakraborty on the run, steadied himself and finished with a delectable left-footer that beat the full-stretch dive of Mumbai FC custodian Kunal Sawant.
Bagan could well have doubled the lead in the first half itself had their most prolific scorer, Odafa, not missed a penalty in the 40th minute. Bagan earned the spot kick after Mumbai FC medio Ashutosh Mehta fouled Tolgay insdie own box.
Odafa’s penalty attempt was well judged by Sawant who fisted the ball over. Odafa had missed another opportunity in the 10th minute when his header off a Syed Rahim Nabi cross went straight to the opponent ‘keeper.
Maintaining the momentum Bagan came back stronger after the break and doubled the lead in the 52nd minute when Odafa shook off his earlier tentativeness and nodded home a measured chip from Tolgay. But the hosts’ defence started making errors hereafter and saw their lead get reduced in the 56th minute when Mumbai FC’s seasoned striker Yusif Yakubu broke free of an off-side trap and released Darren Caldeira to score.
Rejuvenated by the goal Mumbai FC kept attacking and found the equaliser two minutes from time as John Coutinho found the target for the visitors.
With a draw looking certain Odafa’s corner deep into injury time took a deflection off a rival defender to enter the goal ensuring Bagan logged full points.
The win helped Mohun Bagan ease out of the relegation zone for the moment with 19 points from 20 matches. Mumbai FC remained on their previous collection of 30 points after having played 23 matches.
Odafa scored twice, including the injury-time winner, while is Australian colleague upfront, Tolgay Ozbey, scored once. Mumbai found their goals through Darren Caldeira and John Coutinho.
The first session was mostly about Mohun Bagan’s dominance. Of the few chances that the hosts created Tolgay could finish one in the most spectacular fashion.
The 35th minute goal spoke about the Australian’s skillfulness as he received a through ball from Snehasish Chakraborty on the run, steadied himself and finished with a delectable left-footer that beat the full-stretch dive of Mumbai FC custodian Kunal Sawant.
Bagan could well have doubled the lead in the first half itself had their most prolific scorer, Odafa, not missed a penalty in the 40th minute. Bagan earned the spot kick after Mumbai FC medio Ashutosh Mehta fouled Tolgay insdie own box.
Odafa’s penalty attempt was well judged by Sawant who fisted the ball over. Odafa had missed another opportunity in the 10th minute when his header off a Syed Rahim Nabi cross went straight to the opponent ‘keeper.
Maintaining the momentum Bagan came back stronger after the break and doubled the lead in the 52nd minute when Odafa shook off his earlier tentativeness and nodded home a measured chip from Tolgay. But the hosts’ defence started making errors hereafter and saw their lead get reduced in the 56th minute when Mumbai FC’s seasoned striker Yusif Yakubu broke free of an off-side trap and released Darren Caldeira to score.
Rejuvenated by the goal Mumbai FC kept attacking and found the equaliser two minutes from time as John Coutinho found the target for the visitors.
With a draw looking certain Odafa’s corner deep into injury time took a deflection off a rival defender to enter the goal ensuring Bagan logged full points.
The win helped Mohun Bagan ease out of the relegation zone for the moment with 19 points from 20 matches. Mumbai FC remained on their previous collection of 30 points after having played 23 matches.
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