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Indian Federation Cup champions Mohun Bagan AC scored a never threatened 2-1 win over Sri Lankan champions Colombo FC in the return-leg of their 2017 AFC Cup – South Asian Zone preliminary round qualifier at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday night to win the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
The Kolkata giants controlled the match from the start, but they had to wait until the 28th minute to go ahead, when their Haitian winger Sony Norde scored off a pass from Darryl Duffy with keeper Mohammed Imran getting his hands to the ball, but still it went in. But Colombo FC caused also some problems for the inexperienced Mohun Bagan defence, but the Mariners went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Mohun Bagan sealed their passage to the next round when Sony Norde returned the favour to Darryl Duffy as the winger beat his marker on the left wing, passed the ball into the center and Duffy only had to push the ball in.
After an Afeel Mohamed handball in the 76th minute, Mohun Bagan were awarded a penalty, but substitute striker Balwant Singh’s spot kick was saved by Colombo FC keeper Mohammed Imran and two minutes from time Colombo FC’s Jean Yapo scored the goal of the match after a brilliant solo, but it didn’t change anything as Mohun Bagan won the match 2-1 and the tie 4-2.
“Our defence is a problem and we will be working on it. It was nevertheless a good win,” said a critical Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen after the match.
With this win, Mohun Bagan will next face Club Valencia from Maldives who defeated Thimphu City FC of Bhutan in the final round of the AFC Cup – South Asia qualifiers. The Mariners first travel to the island nation on February 21 before hosting Club Valencia in Kolkata on February 28.
