10-man Bagan ride on Colaco show against youthful Mohammedan SC

Time of India

5 days ago

Kolkata: In the end, Liston Colaco's individual brilliance turned out to be too much and too good for Mohammedan SC's team game and youthful exuberance.
The India winger scored two goals and created a beautiful assist for teammate Suhail Bhatt in inspiring a 10-man Mohun Bagan SG to a 3-1 win over Mohammedan SC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday and launching the ISL champions' campaign in the Durand Cup on a perfect note.
Colaco gave his team a deserved lead in the 23rd minute, beating Mohammedan SC goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee with a beautifully-executed free-kick. However, Lalengmawia Ralte 'Apuia's red card just before the break threatened to alter the script for Bagan.
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Ashley Koli brought home the equalizer for Mohammedan SC in the 50th minute as Mehrajuddin Wadoo's youngsters briefly appeared to have taken control of the proceedings.
But the imperious Colaco broke the trend with a stunning assist, releasing Suhail Bhat free inside the box with a sumptuous back-heel and Bhat made no mistake in restoring Bagan's lead in 62 minutes.
Yet, Mohammedan SC — playing the entire the second half with an extra man —kept raiding the rival box with belief that they had in their youthful exuberance and Wadoo's strategy something to queer the pitch for the ISL champions.
Bagan goalkeeper and captain Vishal Kaith even had to come up with a couple of crucial saves to keep his team's hopes alive.
Eventually it was left for Colaco to put more gloss on the victory, earning and converting a penalty in the fifth minute of the stoppage time.
Merely a week after beginning their pre-season training, stakes were heavy for Bagan, though. In absence of any foreigners and Spanish head coach Jose Molina, they were thrust into the season-opener knowing that any slip-up might jeopardize their chances in Asia's oldest knock-out football tournament.
Assistant coach Bastab Roy was also wary of Mohammedan SC's youthful energy and fighting spirit despite going down 1-2 to Diamond Harbour FC in the Group B opener three days ago and highlighting their style of playing as a team.
Still, Bagan entered the field carrying the favourites' tag with the likes of Colaco, Apuia, Asish Rai and newcomer full back Abhishek Singh at their disposal.
Bagan went on the offensive right at the outset with Suhail missing a couple of sitters before Colaco drew a foul from Joseph Lalmuanawma just outside the box and sent the resultant freekick into the top corner of the net with a perfect execution.
However, Apuia's aggression when he headbutted Tangva Ragui following a foul and drew a straight red card from referee Aditya Purkayastha came as something out of the syllabus for Bastab's gameplan.
Mohammedan SC got the equalizer soon after the break, Kaith managing to block Lalthankima's strike from distance, only to see Koli snap up the rebound.
But Colaco came to the team's rescue again, first with an assist that completely took the rival defence by surprise and Suhail managed to find the target on his second attempt after his first shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Colaco came calling again, this time entering the box with menace and drawing a foul from defender Dinesh Meitei. Referee Aditya Purkayastha had no hesitation to point his finger towards the spot, as Dinesh and his Mohammedan SC teammates protested the official's decision.
Colaco stepped up to beat Subhajit for the third time and seal the deal in style.