Mohun Bagan hit Lajong for a six

18 Jan 2014

AIFF Media Team

Mohun Bagan 6 (Odafa 10^th, 77^th; Chizoba 24^th, 60^th; Yusa Katsumi 31^st; Howladar 90+3)

beat

Shillong Lajong FC 0

COCHIN: Mohun Bagan thumped Shillong Lajong 6-0 in a Group C encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday evening to brighten their chances of making it to the semifinal of 35^th Federation Cup. Both Captain Odafa Okolie and compatriot Christopher Chizoba scored braces while Yusa Katsumi and Ujjwal Howladar netted one each.

Both sides came into this game full of confidence following wins in their opening games. But Mohun Bagan started the better as they tested Lajong Goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte thrice in the opening seven minutes.

The deadlock was broken from a corner as Yusa’s delivery fell to Pankaj Moula whose tame shot was deflected into the back of the net by Odafa from close range.

Lajong could have equalised from a Boithang Haokip flag-kick but Cornell Glen’s header went over the bar. The Shillong club were winning plenty of set-pieces and Haokip kept producing quality deliveries but none of his teammates could get on the end of it.

Mohun Bagan doubled their lead through Chizoba, who received a pass from Zakeer Mundampara and slotted the ball past Ralte after easily going past his marker.

Just after the half-hour mark it was 3-0 as Yusa dispossessed Wailadmi Passah before being put clean through on goal by Chizoba and the Japanese coolly found the back of the net.

Odafa wasted a golden one-on-one opportunity before the break or it could have been 4-0.

Even in the second half, the green-and-maroon brigade stayed wasteful with Chizoba finding side netting after rounding Ralte while Zakeer hit the bar.

But Mohun Bagan didn’t have to wait long for the fourth goal as at the hour mark Chizoba scored his third goal of the Tournament following a nice through pass from Katsumi.

Karim Bencherifa’s side created plenty of chances in the final quarter and substitute Howladar completed the rout scoring his first-ever goal for the Club in stoppage time much to Lajong’s embarrassment.