I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: McDowell’s Mohun Bagan dished out another scintillating performance and amassed all possible three points in front of their home fans against Salgaocar FC, thanks to three strikes from Denson Devdas, Katsumi and Sony Norde.

Albeit Augustin Fernandes drew parity on 53 minutes, two late goals from Katsumi and Sony Norde sealed the Kolkata outfit’s third victory on a trot, having extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in Hero I-League. The late dismissal of Balwant Singh has been the only concern of Mohun Bagan gaffer Sanjoy Sen ahead of their next fixture.

The battle for the second place saw an enthralling encounter between Bengaluru FC and Royal Wahingdoh. Although the tie ended in a 3-3 stalemate, the spectators at Kanteerava Stadium were the real winners who witnessed a pulsating game of 90 minutes.

Kim converted from the 12 yards in 15th minute and gave Wahingdoh an early lead. Robin Singh cancelled out the lead just six minutes to the break. On 44 minutes, Franco clinched another goal for Royal Wahingdoh. Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood had a lot to do in the break and his boys reciprocated superbly in the second half.

Shankar and marquee player Joshua Walker scored back to back goals to bring back life in the game. Just after 4 minutes of Joshua Walker’s goal from penalty spot, Reagan Singh from Wahingdoh found the net and drew parity in the score sheet. The last 15 minutes saw some brilliant football from either of the sides, but no one could pull off the winner eventually. However, Bengaluru FC could hold the second spot for at least another week owing to their better head-to-head record against Royal Wahingdoh.

Khalid Jamil had little to do while his team reached the nadir at their backyard Cooperage Stadium against Shillong Lajong. The home team got hammered and outplayed in every single department of the game by the visiting team. While Cornell Glenn scored a brace, Pen Orji and Brazilian bloke Uilliams Bomfim found the back of the net too. Ralte heaved the score line to 6-0 in favour of them to leapfrog Dempo in the points table.

The Goan derby between Dempo and Sporting Goa saw second draw of gameweek 14. Both the teams are currently going through a rough phase and are struggling to safeguard themselves from the relegation spot. Dempo defender Haroon Fakhruddin scored in either of the halves only to secure a solitary point while Victorino Fernandes and attacking spearhead Odafa Okolie registered two goals for Sporting Goa.

Sporting Goa could gather only 6 points till now from 12 matches while Dempo collected four points more playing one match less.

There was huge anticipation around the first Pune derby of the season and both the teams played out of their skin to collect all three points. Nevertheless, neither Karim Bencharifa nor Stuart Watkiss could get the better of the other and had to leave the pitch with a point apiece. Fanai Lalrempuia drew the first blood for Pune FC in 4th minute of the game.

Kiwi striker Kris Bright cancelled out Pune FC’s lead on thirty two minutes. At latter stage of the game, the atmosphere heated up to some extent but the officials handled it. Mehrajuddin Wadoo from Kalyani Bharat FC and Dhanapal Ganesh from Pune FC were sent off with no delay, but there was no effect on the score line till the whistle.

Top 3 Teams (in order of Ranking):

McDowell’s Mohun Bagan – 24 points
 

Bengaluru FC – 21 points (better head-to-head record against RWFC)
 

Royal Wahingdoh FC – 21 points

Top Goalscorer:

Ranti Martins (KEB) – 12 goals from 10 games