I-League Media Team

Kingfisher East Bengal got the better of Bharat FC at Balewadi Stadium courtesy a first half brace from Dudu Omagbemi and a goal from Ranti Martins, leading scorer of Hero I-League 2015 at the moment. Right from the scratch, Cavin Lobo, Khabra were coordinating well with Dudu-Ranti which finally got the result in the 17^th minute. Dudu didn’t do any mistake to strike the header to a long cross from Lobo. Bharat FC goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya could do little but only to see the ball hitting the back of the net. 6 minutes later, Dudu sneaked past the listless Bharat FC defenders and collected the long ball from none but Lobo to chip it right into the net. Bharat FC players regrouped themselves in the second half and kept the Kolkata outfit defenders busy. On 71 minutes, Ranti Martins stormed past home team and was just a few meters away from signing it off. Arindam intervened illegally and referee did no delay to offer a penalty in favour of the Red and Gold outfit. Ranti calmly put the ball at the bottom left and extended his tally to 13 goals this season. They are facing Pune FC Saturday, a win against the blue half of Pune would provide them much needed confidence.

The game week opened while Sporting Goa, whose Hero I-League 2015 campaign is going haywire, locked their horns with surprise package Royal Wahingdoh. Sandesh Jhingan, who was awarded Hero MoM eventually, Anthoney Wolfe flooded attack after attack but the final breakthrough was missing. Odafa Okolie could have done a slight better job to get the winning goal. Royal Wahingdoh, third at the table with 22 points, went astray in the first half but rejuvenated in the 2^nd half. Albeit they had some lethal attacking force in the forms of Kim, Bekar, the penetration was missing from the away team. Santosh Kasyap won’t mind to snatch a solitary point from the draw but Flaming Oranjes gaffer has to overhaul the system in no time as the relegation threat is looming large now.

Derrick Perriera travelled to Balewadi with loads of confidence as Pune FC has never been able to outplay the Goan outfit since he has taken the charge. Salgaocar FC started with positive note and was playing out of their skin to snatch all important three points from Balewadi. The home team got frustrated as the jostling out at the middle was swaying their chances to register a win ahead of the home spectators. Both the managers introduced fresh legs after the break but that hardly could change the game tempo. On 82 minutes, Ryuji Sueoka went past the defenders and smacked the ball right in the net. Salgaocar FC went in all out attack at the dying minutes but they could not penetrate the Red Lizards defence line.

Mumbai FC, done and dusted against Shillong Lajong last week, regrouped well against champions. Rahul Bheke got the first goal of the game for Mumbai FC on 67 minutes against the flow of the game. Incidentally, Rahul is born and brought up in Bangalore. Ashley Westwood introduced Robin Singh in the 76^th minute and the stylish lad drew the parity on 88 minutes. The stadium went berserk so as Robin Singh on 94 minutes while he elbowed Mumbai FC goalie only to be sent off immediately. As the match finished off, there was huge turmoil and one Mumbai FC player was seen in the strands among the spectators. There was a brawl out at the middle as Mumbai FC Coach Khalid Jamil was reported to be injured. Whole the incident will be scrutinised and decision will be taken by AIFF disciplinary body.

Table toppers McDowell’s Mohun Bagan forwards cut into the attacking third quite often but could not infiltrate Shillong Lajong defence. Balwant, Sony Norde synchronised well and put the Shillong defence under huge pressure, though the goal was eluding them. Shillong Lajong responded well with their impeccable counterattacks and Cornell Glen was most threatening amongst all. Seitya, Len supported him well and introduced more venom into the attack. Debjit, Bagan goalie has another brilliant day in the office and officials did not mistake to choose him as the Hero MoM.

Hero I-League points table (Top 3 after round 15):

McDowell’s Mohun Bagan – 25 points
Bengaluru FC – 22 points
Royal Wahingdoh – 22 points

Highest Scorer (Till round 15):

Ranti Martins -13 goals