In the ongoing Calcutta Football League 2024, Mohun Bagan Super Giant continue to search for their first win, finding themselves frustrated once again with a 2-2 draw against ASOS Rainbow on Saturday at the Barrackpore Stadium. Despite their best efforts, the Green and Maroon brigade couldn’t convert their aggressive play into a victory, a situation that is becoming a pattern this season.
The match started with Mohun Bagan Super Giant on the offensive, showcasing their intent to dominate from the first whistle. The team managed to create several scoring opportunities early on, but ASOS Rainbow’s goalkeeper, Shilton Paul, proved to be a formidable barrier. Shilton’s skilful saves kept Mohun Bagan at bay, preventing an early breakthrough.
However, the breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Mohun Bagan’s Tyson Singh delivered a precise cross from the right wing. Suhail Bhat, demonstrating excellent timing and positioning, met the ball with a powerful header, sending it past Shilton into the net. The goal was met with exuberant celebrations as Suhail emulated Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siu’ celebration by sprinting towards the corner flag, much to the delight of the fans.
Suhail was not done yet. In the 26th minute, he doubled Mohun Bagan’s lead. This time, the goal came from a lofted ball from midfield, which Suhail met with another well-placed header, showcasing his aerial prowess and precision. With a two-goal cushion, it seemed Mohun Bagan Super Giant was on their way to their first win in the league.
Despite the two-goal advantage, Mohun Bagan Super Giant did not ease their offensive pressure. The team continued to push forward, seeking to extend their lead further. However, ASOS Rainbow was determined to get back into the game. Their persistence paid off as they staged a remarkable comeback, scoring two goals within a span of three minutes.
ASOS Rainbow’s first goal came in the 44th minute from a brilliantly executed free-kick by Sourav Dasgupta. Positioned just outside the box, Sourav curved the ball beautifully into the net, leaving the Mohun Bagan Super Giant goalkeeper with no chance. This goal injected new energy into the ASOS Rainbow team, and just a minute later, they were awarded a penalty. Sayan’s foul on a ASOS Rainbow player inside the box was punished, and Rajan Barman stepped up to convert the penalty, levelling the score at 2-2.
The dramatic turn of events stunned Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who had looked set for a comfortable victory but Rainbow managed to hold on for the remainder of the match, securing a hard-fought draw. At the last moment of the match Shilton Paul, Golkeeper of ASOS Rainbow was shown yellow card for wasting time and later shown red card for arguing with the match referee.
On the other side of the Kolkata football spectrum, East Bengal is preparing for their home match on Sunday. The Red and Gold brigade had a resounding start to their Calcutta Football League campaign, thrashing Tollygunge Agragami 7-0 in their opening match. Now, they are set to face George Telegraph in their second encounter, and the team is brimming with confidence. East Bengal’s coach, Bino George, expressed optimism ahead of the match.
The anticipation is high for Sunday’s match as East Bengal aims to build on their impressive start. Fans are expected to turn up in large numbers to support their team, creating an electrifying atmosphere at the stadium. The clash promises to be an exciting encounter as East Bengal looks to continue their winning momentum in the Calcutta Football League.
As the Calcutta Football League progresses, both Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal are navigating different trajectories. While Mohun Bagan Super Giant struggles to find their rhythm, East Bengal is riding high on confidence. The coming matches will be crucial in determining their fortunes in this storied competition.
