KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan SG virtually sealed their passage to the Super Six stage, having played out a rollercoaster 2-2 draw with already-qualified Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) in their CFL Premier Division match in Kalyani on Thursday.
Needing at least two points from their remaining two Group A matches to stay alive in the tournament, Mohun Bagan fell behind early on. David Lalhlansanga continued with his rich vein of form, handing Mohammedan Sporting the lead in the 20th minute.
Kiyan Nassiri — who was later adjudged man of the match — started the turnaround for Mohun Bagan in the second half, bringing home the equalizer in exquisite fashion in the 57th minute. Having chested down the ball, he lobbed it over rival goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte.
When Taison Singh put Mohun Bagan in front in the 80th minute with another beautiful goal, beating the goalkeeper with a precise curler from the edge of the box, it looked enough for Bastab Roy’s green-and-maroon to clinch the issue.
However, Mohammedan Sporting turned the game on its head in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Mohammed Irshad — who had seen his header come off the post a few minutes earlier — whipped in a cross from the right and Sheikh Faiaz met it with a diving header to make it 2-2 at the death.
Mohammedan Sporting (29 points from 12 games) and Diamond Harbour FC (26 points from11 games) have already progressed to the championship round from Group A. Both Mohun Bagan and Kalighat MS — who shared the spoils 1-1 in their group match — are now on 24 points each but the green-and-maroon side pipped them to the third place thanks to a better goal difference. Mohun Bagan’s current goal difference is +18 as against Kalighat MS’s +13.
Mohun Bagan will take on Diamond Harbour FC in their final group fixture. Mohun Bagan’s progress to the CFL championship round can only be denied if they lose to Diamond Harbour FC by a minimum margin of 6 goals.
East Bengal, Bhawanipore Club and Kidderpore SC have qualified for the Super Six from Group B.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting's Super Six match against Kidderpore on September 17 will be held as a charity match, proceeds of which will be given to the family of Sirajuddin, the black-and-white brigade fan who died at the club ground while watching his team's match two weeks ago.
