Prakash lights up Bagan’s day

Prakash lights up Bagan’s day
Press Trust of India

Kolkata, January 28: Holders Mohun Bagan rode on a second half resurgence to pip Indian Telephone Industries 1-0 in a fifth National Football League match here today.

After a barren first half, which saw a listless variety of soccer, Bagan struck the winner in the 63rd minute through striker R C Prakash. The goal followed a measured Jose Ramirez Barreto free-kick from the left of the box which was headed by Amauri de Silva towards the first post. Then Renedy Singh sent a short minus to Prakash, who pushed home from close range. Bagan failed to find their bearings in the first half with their Brazilian upfronter Barreto being policed to submission by ITI’s Feroze in the striking zone. They looked a metamorphosed side after the breather as Barreto fell back to a withdrawal position.

From then on, the Brazilian, freed from his marker, played a crucial role in creating several moves with his neat, incisive passes that foxed the ITI defence. Bagan could have won by a bigger margin had their forward not frittered away a number of chances that came their way.

ITI, on the other hand, matched bagan attack for attack in the first half but lost steam in the later session. Bagan now have seven points from three encounters and ITI have four points from three matches.

Tollygunge Agragami hope for a turnaround against Mahindra
Kolkata: Struck by two back-to-back defeats, local challengers Tollygunge Agragami would be hoping for a turnaround as they take on a injury-hit Mahindra United. Agragami, who emerged as a force to reckon with in national soccer early last year humbling one fancied team after another before finally finishing a modest eighth in the premier league, have not lived up to their promise this season. Their woes have continued in the current edition of the league where they had a dismal start meekly succumbing 0-2 to East Bengal before going down 1-2 to title holders Mohun Bagan after spirited fight.