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Mohammedan Sporting Club’s title hopes in the ongoing Calcutta Football League’s Premier Division – A ended following a 2-2 draw against United SC on Thursday evening.
After a barren first-half Mohammedan Sporting surged ahead through Leonce Dodoz (64th) before Manvir Singh doubled the advantage four minutes later. But United SC fought back in the later stages and equalised through Eric Brown (76th) and Manotosh Chakladar (80th) at the Barasat Municipal Stadium.
Going into the game Mohammedan Sporting head coach Mridul Banerjee made two changes from the side that played goalless against Peerless SC. Kamran Farooque and Mohammad Soukat came at the expenses of Pranit Lama and Usman Ashik.
The Black Panthers began the game in attacking mode and created a couple of close chances early on. While Manvir did well to get into spaces, the striker lacked the finish in the final third.
As the half progressed, Mohammedan Sporting started dominating the possession. On the other hand, United SC defended deep and had their custodian Abhijit Das to thank after he denied Dodoz and Manvir on several occasions as both sides went into the breather tied at goalless.
The second half began with both sides engaging in some end-to-end action in the opening minutes. Having gone close on a few occasions early on, Mohammedan Sporting took the lead in the 64th minute. A low cross floated in from the left by Dipendu Dowary found Dodoz in the box and the Ivorian slotted with a powerful low shot across the goal.
Having scored, Mohammedan Sporting increased the pressure and attacked the rival goal ferociously going close on a few occasions. Four minutes later, Mohammedan Sporting’s pressure yielded another goal when Manvir got on the scoresheet off an Mumtaz Akhtar pass.
United SC, at the other end, pulled a goal back when Eric converted from the spot after the penalty was awarded to United SC after Kamran brought down Jagannath Oraon inside the box.
Thereafter, Mohammedan Sporting continued to push up and create chances but once again lack of finishing touch in the rival box led them down. While Mohammedan Sporting pressed high up, opponents United SC managed to equalise against the run of the play with Manotosh Chakladar capitalised on an error by Mohammedan Sporting custodian Shayan Roy.
In the final few minutes of the game, both sides tried hard to find the winner but they couldn’t break the deadlock as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Mohammedan Sporting, who are on 17 points from eight games, are now out of the title race and will face East Bengal next on Sunday at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium.
