Three-time champions Mohun Bagan stand on the cusp of their fourth title after convincingly beating Sporting Clube de Goa 2-0 in the 19th and penultimate round game of the I-League football tournament at Barasat on Saturday.
Youngster Shehnaz Singh (65th minute) and talismanic Haitian Sony Norde (77th minute) sealed the issue for the green and maroon brigade as they now need a solitary point against defending champions Bengaluru FC in their final round away game in Garden City. Mohun Bagan have 38 points from 19 games with a better goal difference (+17) compared to Bengaluru, who have 35 points from 18 games (+16).
Playing under scorching heat and humidity, both the teams dished out a lacklustre display but all of a sudden defensive midfielder Shehnaz injected life into the game converting his 66th minute free-kick.
Shehnaz unleashed a powerful grounder to beat the wall as the ball went past the stretched left hand of Ravi Kumar to give Mohun Bagan the much-needed lead as they did not look back with Norde once again giving the finishing touches within 12 minutes.
No sooner Ravi Kumar failed to hold on to the ball, the boisterous capacity crowd at Barasat Stadium erupted in joy as the victory not only avenged their first leg loss but also ended Sporting Clube de Goa's seven match unbeaten run. Bagan's Haitian hit-man was set up brilliantly by Sukhen Dey as he cut across and volleyed it past custodian Ravi with a deft touch to make them one point shy of title.
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If reigning champions Bengaluru FC failed to win against Dempo in Goa in the late evening match, Mohun Bagan would be virtually assured of the title even if they lose the last match as Sunil Chhetri and Co will need a big win to thwart Kolkata giants' title aspirations. This will be Bagan's maiden silverware since National Football League (NFL) was rechristened as I-League.
The Goans got a fine chance in the 24th minute when they won a freekick after Brandon Fernandes was brought down by Bello Rasaq but Odafa Okolie wasted the chance. Odafa's left-footed shot went over the bar as he tried to curl in the top corner but the goalless stalemate prevailed.
Like in the last match when a little known Pritam Kotal had given a superb lead over Royal Wahingdoh, also it was Shehnaz's day as he made full use of the free-kick after Pierre Boya was brought down by ISL's costliest India player Sandesh Jhingan, who has done precious little in this tournament so far.
