Mohun Bagan host Mahindras in crucial tie

Local favourites Mohun Bagan meet title aspirants Mahindra United in what promises to be a no-holds-barred contest in the second stage of ONGC I-league at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday. Though Bagan managed to beat Mahindra 2-1 in the first stage of the league,they are way back in fifth spot on the table …

Local favourites Mohun Bagan meet title aspirants Mahindra United in what promises to be a no-holds-barred contest in the second stage of ONGC I-league at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday.

Though Bagan managed to beat Mahindra 2-1 in the first stage of the league,they are way back in fifth spot on the table currently with 29 points from 20 games. The Mumbai outfit,meanwhile,are second with 37 points from 21 matches. Dempo Sports Club from Goa top the table with 41 points from an equal number of outings. A win could see the Mahindras move within a point of the group leaders and the visitors would be raring to go all out for the crucial three points.

With six more matches still to be played,the league appears to be wide open and a win here will definitely make the green and maroon brigades chance brighter to finish at least runners up in the table,if not at the top.

Story continues below this ad

For the home team,their talismanic Brazilian striker Jose Barreto has regained form after a lacklusture performance in a couple of matches where he could not convert even the spot kicks. Barreto struck two of the four goals Bagan scored against Air India in their last I league outing and has scored a total of 14 goals this season.

With sufficient support from their other foreign recruit Edeh Chidi (10 goals this season) upfront,Bagan would be looking to score big.

Though Bagans dependable back Rakesh Mashi is indisposed,coach Biswajit Bhattacharjee has enough bench strength to shore up his defence. Brazilian Marcos Periera is likely to look after the midfield,Bagan has dependable keeper Sangram Mukherjee and Dipak Mondal to guard the goal.

Shillong hold Mumbai

Shillong: Mumbai FC and Shillong Lajong played out a 1-1 draw here on Tuesday amidst heated arguments between match officials and the visiting team here.

Story continues below this ad

Pradeep Mohanraj put Mumbai FC ahead in the 16th minute but Shillong equalised in the 79th minute through Aibor Khonjees header. In the second half,Mohanraj was booked for wasting time after being injured during a tackle,prompting angry reaction from Mumbai coach Khalid Jamil.

It was clear cheating. From referee to administration,they played a foul game, Jamil alleged.