Played
October 23, 2011 6:30 PM IST
October 23, 2011 6:30 PM IST
I-League: Pailan Arrows 1-3 Mohun Bagan AC – Odafa Okolie Hat-trick Powers A Second Half Bagan Rally
An inspirational second half performance guided Mohun Bagan to a 3-1 win over Pailan in their first match of I-League 2011-12..
By Debjit lahiri
An inspirational second half rally led by a Odafa Okolie hat-trick meant Mohun Bagan finally overcame the pre-season demons to register an impressive 1-3 win over Pailan Arrows.
The Green and Maroons lined up with a relatively strong outfit with Odafa and Sunil Chhetri filling in as the front two with Jose Ramirez Barreto missing out. Manish Maithani and Jewel Raja formed the central midfield partnership.
The match began in a cagey style before the young boys from Pailan eventually took control of the game, with them seemingly winning the battle in the midfield. And soon they were rewarded as an awkward cross from Lalrozama Fanai in the 8th minute was dealt ridiculously by goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee and the ball ricocheted of the bar and then on to him to the goal to give Pailan the lead.
Mohun Bagan continued to be scrappy as they repeatedly played aimless long balls which were understandably not dealt well by the forwards. Despite a slightly superior possession, it was Pailan who looked more effective when on the ball.
However, a brief period of good play saw captain Odafa Okolie's shot saved off the line, which was soon followed by another shot from Jewel Raja saved by goal-keeper Naveen Kumar. As the half progressed, Bagan's movement on the pitch improved although it was the final pass that they always lacked.
A 30th minute freekick saw Syed Rahim Nabi deliver a good little ball into the Pailan box, which was headed in by Manish Maithani towards goal. And the 23 year old almost did the trick as the ball flew just over the bar, which would have certainly beaten Kumar had it been inches below.
In the 38th minute, a powerful run by Okolie was followed by a good shot towards goal which was however saved by the Pailan goalkeeper to his left. The resulting corner saw yet another wasteful ball, as it was easily cleared by the Pailan defence. Perhaps it rightly summed up Bagan's half till then.
Okolie showed flashes of brilliance in dying seconds of the half as he powered through a cloud of Pailan defenders. However,the ball was eventually wasted from the left wing as Pailan kept their shape. A swift chance fell for Maithani as he too shot straight at Kumar. The resulting corner saw Chhetri head the ball just over the bar, which also proved to be the last action of the half.
In the second half, Jose Ramirez Barreto came on for Maithani and the effects were immediate as Bagan looked a bit more sharper than the first half.
In the 52nd minute a corner for Pailan led to some panic in the Bagan defence but the ball eventually went out of play. Bagan once again continued in their long ball style and were repeatedly denied any significant chance.
In the 58th minute some good bit of play led to a free-kick which was however again wasted by Barreto. However, their prayers were answered as a delightful ball from Hudson Lima in the 66th minute saw star man Okolie Odafe equaliize for Bagan. Soon, Bagan took control of the match and they looked likelier to score the next.
And indeed it proved to be as Bagan turned it around via the special man Odafa as he volleyed in a shot to give Bagan the lead in the 71st minute. It was all Bagan from then on, as several chances fell their way, including one from Baretto which was saved by an out-stretched Kumar.
Once again, the goal scorer proved his worth as he scored an outstanding hat-trick right at the stoke of full time. Sneaking the ball through a crowd of defenders Odafa struck a sublime shot into the goal. It was a memorable performance from the former Churchill man as he answered all his critics with an 'Odafa of old' like display.
The win gives Mohun Bagan the much needed respite after a series of off and on field problems prior to the start of the I-League.
The Green and Maroons lined up with a relatively strong outfit with Odafa and Sunil Chhetri filling in as the front two with Jose Ramirez Barreto missing out. Manish Maithani and Jewel Raja formed the central midfield partnership.
The match began in a cagey style before the young boys from Pailan eventually took control of the game, with them seemingly winning the battle in the midfield. And soon they were rewarded as an awkward cross from Lalrozama Fanai in the 8th minute was dealt ridiculously by goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee and the ball ricocheted of the bar and then on to him to the goal to give Pailan the lead.
Mohun Bagan continued to be scrappy as they repeatedly played aimless long balls which were understandably not dealt well by the forwards. Despite a slightly superior possession, it was Pailan who looked more effective when on the ball.
However, a brief period of good play saw captain Odafa Okolie's shot saved off the line, which was soon followed by another shot from Jewel Raja saved by goal-keeper Naveen Kumar. As the half progressed, Bagan's movement on the pitch improved although it was the final pass that they always lacked.
A 30th minute freekick saw Syed Rahim Nabi deliver a good little ball into the Pailan box, which was headed in by Manish Maithani towards goal. And the 23 year old almost did the trick as the ball flew just over the bar, which would have certainly beaten Kumar had it been inches below.
In the 38th minute, a powerful run by Okolie was followed by a good shot towards goal which was however saved by the Pailan goalkeeper to his left. The resulting corner saw yet another wasteful ball, as it was easily cleared by the Pailan defence. Perhaps it rightly summed up Bagan's half till then.
Okolie showed flashes of brilliance in dying seconds of the half as he powered through a cloud of Pailan defenders. However,the ball was eventually wasted from the left wing as Pailan kept their shape. A swift chance fell for Maithani as he too shot straight at Kumar. The resulting corner saw Chhetri head the ball just over the bar, which also proved to be the last action of the half.
In the second half, Jose Ramirez Barreto came on for Maithani and the effects were immediate as Bagan looked a bit more sharper than the first half.
In the 52nd minute a corner for Pailan led to some panic in the Bagan defence but the ball eventually went out of play. Bagan once again continued in their long ball style and were repeatedly denied any significant chance.
In the 58th minute some good bit of play led to a free-kick which was however again wasted by Barreto. However, their prayers were answered as a delightful ball from Hudson Lima in the 66th minute saw star man Okolie Odafe equaliize for Bagan. Soon, Bagan took control of the match and they looked likelier to score the next.
And indeed it proved to be as Bagan turned it around via the special man Odafa as he volleyed in a shot to give Bagan the lead in the 71st minute. It was all Bagan from then on, as several chances fell their way, including one from Baretto which was saved by an out-stretched Kumar.
Once again, the goal scorer proved his worth as he scored an outstanding hat-trick right at the stoke of full time. Sneaking the ball through a crowd of defenders Odafa struck a sublime shot into the goal. It was a memorable performance from the former Churchill man as he answered all his critics with an 'Odafa of old' like display.
The win gives Mohun Bagan the much needed respite after a series of off and on field problems prior to the start of the I-League.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ranti Martins Striker Prayag United |
27 | 3 |
|
Odafa Onyeka Okolie Striker Mohun Bagan |
20 | 3 |
|
Edeh Chidi Striker East Bengal |
18 | 3 |
|
James Moga Striker East Bengal |
16 | 0 |
|
H. Antchouet Striker Churchill |
14 | 1 |