MohunBagan 3 [Katsumi (13’, 69’), Norde (25’)] 

beat

Mumbai FC 1 (Josimar 20’) 

I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: McDowell’s Mohun Bagan started their Hero I-League campaign in flying colours as they recorded a comfortable 3-1 victory against Mumbai FC at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday evening.

The first clear-cut chance of the game went Mumbai’s way in the 10th minute of the game. From a corner-kick, Justin Stephen headed the ball on target, but Shilton Paul, the skipper of the hosts stretched to his left to pull off a good save.

Only three minutes later, Mohun Bagan drew the first blood through Yusa Katsumi. Sony Norde, the Haiti international fed Balwant with a long ball from the left flank. The India international headed the ball to Katsumi’s path who chested it down and calmly slotted it home past a hapless Kunal Sawant.

Mumbai had a golden opportunity in the next minute, but even after running into the box, Taisuke Matsugae placed his shot straight to Shilton’s gloves.

However, the away side didn’t have to wait long to earn their equalizer. Rahul Bheke delivered a dangerous throw-in from the left flank which was headed on by Justin Stephen. The ball then went to Josimar, who nodded the ball home from close range with Shilton remaining out of position.

In the 25th minute, Mohun Bagan went ahead once again, courtesy of a howler by Justin Stephen. The Indian defender made a meal of a routine aerial ball as it went past him to be received unhindered by Sony and the Haiti attacker calmly placed the ball into the net, much to the ecstasy of the spectators gathered.

Josimar almost restored parity after the half-hour mark as he exchanged a quick pass with Taisuke after being fed by Jayesh Rane. He managed to take a swipe from inside the box, but his left-footed effort was denied by the post.

The teams went into the break with the score-line reading 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

After the break, Sanjoy Sen’s troop continued to dominate the proceedings, but couldn’t make many clear cut chances. The Mariners in particular looked vulnerable while dealing with the long throw-ins by Rahul.

Yusa Katsumi completed his brace in the 69th minute when Manish Bhargav sent in a brilliant low cross from the right flank for the Japanese for him to tap in, with the entire breadth of the net at his mercy.

There was late drama left in the game as Kunal Sawant, the travelling goalkeeper handled the ball outside his area while trying to stop Balwant Singh on his tracks. Tejas Nagvenkar gave him the marching orders and Cletus Paul had to stand between the sticks for the remaining part of the game.

Mohun Bagan held on to the lead and notched up their first home win to start their campaign against Jamil’s side, which seemed to have a number of aspects to ponder upon.