Bagan struggle to their first win of the season
Mohun Bagan striker Odafa Okolie gets past a rival defender.
PUNE: A Mickey Fernandes own goal gave Mohun Bagan their first win of the season – a much-needed one- in a round III match of the I-League, at the Balewadi Sports Complex stadium, here, on Sunday.
What seemed like a clean goal from Bagan’s Nigerian striker Odafa Okolie initially was later confirmed that it was an own goal by Air India’s Fernandes.
The deflection from Fernandes not only handed host Air India their third straight loss, but the win for Bagan helped them to climb up to the 10th position in the points table.
Both the teams had started their I-League season with a disappointing note, and with three points on the table, Bagan can now heave a sigh of relief.
It was a mixed day for Air India goalkeeper Gagandeep Singh as he saved a couple of good shots. Okolie, who hasn’t been in good form of late, looked to be in a much better shape on Sunday. In the first half, Okolie dominated and had around three shots on target. However, he seemed unlucky with scoring goals.
In the second half Okolie was in full form as he took shots on almost all the balls he got inside the 30-yard line. One of the Okolie’s shots hit the right side of the goal post that saved Air India from further blushes.
Airman Junior had a chance of an equiliser, but Bagan’s goalkeeper Shilton Paul raced from the goal-line and saved the attempt. Junior took the ball ahead but failed to score the goal—shooting the ball wide of the post.
Air India 0
lost to
Mohun Bagan 1 (Micky Fernanades own goal – 68th)