I-League 2018-19, Mohun Bagan vs Minerva Punjab: 3 Talking Points
After two heart-breaking losses, Mohun Bagan finally came back to winning ways in the I-League under new coach Khalid Jamil. They defeated defending champions Minerva Punjab 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.
Though they remained on the sixth position with 18 points from 12 matches, the win would be a vital boost for the green and maroon ahead of their next home match against NEROCA FC. Defending champions Minerva Punjab, who have won earlier here against East Bengal, have 13 points from 12 matches.
Mohun Bagan coach Khalid Jamil had little time to make any change in terms of strategy. But he deployed a new defensive formation against Minerva. Mohun Bagan’s game-plan was overall the same, but mentally they were looking more confident on the pitch.
Let us look at the three points of the game:
#3 Mohun Bagan’s relentless attacking paid off
Mohun Bagan knew very well that it would be hard to crack Minerva’s defence. So they rightly opted for attacking football.
Right from the start, they took control of the midfield and played more and more forward passes into the opponent’s half.
The move ultimately paid off as Mohun Bagan capitalised the opportunity that came on their plate.
Khalid Jamil made quite a few changes in his first match in charge. The defensive line-up was completely overhauled as Lalchawnkima and Arjiit Bagui made way for Gurjinder Kumar and Dalraj Singh. Sony Norde started on the right wing but quickly changed his flank as the match started.
Omar Elhusseiny and Yuta Kinowaki once again played a pivotal role in the midfield. The Japanese-Egyptian combo has already made a brilliant understanding between them and it was exposed when they created some quick chances within the first quarter of the game.
Dipanda Dicka waited behind the defenders for his chances and made an impact when he was fouled by Lancine Toure in the box.
But the referee refused to award the penalty. Dicka waited patiently and was fouled again in the box by Toure and this time referee pointed towards the spot.
Omar Elhusseiny was a standout player throughout the match as he kept moving up and down constantly. He was rightly awarded the man of the match.