18th Dec 2008, was a day when we saw one of the best soccer matches in recent times between two arch rivals, Mohun Bagan (The Mariners) and East Bengal (The Burning Torch). The oldest Arch Rivals in the history of Asian football, started since 1925.
In the Semi Finals, the latters were over frustated to have a win against the formers, as Mohun Bagan was riding a 8 consecutive winning streak against East Bengal, with 6 wins and two draws. This time, The Federation Cup semis was a place to prove, and every team in whatever mind set regarding the recent past, had the full focus and pressure on. The initial minutes were when Mohun Bagan showed their poweress, prowling over the opposition from both the flanks. Marcos while Lalkamal Bhowmick made the perfect horns with the center forwards J. R. Barreto and B. Bhutia (Indian Football team Captain) made inroads. Isfaq played the sudden torrents, tearing past the East Bengal left flank with shear pace and good passes. But after the initial 15 minutes, East Bengal began to take momentum. The stats, in the first 15 minutes read MB: 3 EB: 0 (shots on goal). In all the three instances, the ball recociated from the post. One of Marcos Free Kick, two from Isfaq. All of a sudden, EB took control of the midfield.
The first half ended 0-0.
Eats Bengal had made way to the semis beating all the teams, and conceding goals. In contrast, as framed by EB, MB made their limpings into the Semis.
With the second half, the Bencharifa Magic started to weave its way through. Mohun Bagan were much more composed. The 8 great shots on target by EB in the first half were no where to be seen. Hadnt it for the MB Goalie, Sangram Mukherjee, MB would have been trailing by 3 goals, leaving aside MB's bad luck. Mohun Bagan made waves of attacks when suddenly in a cross from the midfielder, they scored with a brilliant volley. It occured in the 63rd minute. In the 68th minute, Jose Ramirez Barreto made a diving header from the free kick cross of Marcos to bring the equalizer.
The game went upto half time with lots of midfield tension. Barreto got a Yellow Card, while East Bengal earned four yellows!
The tie breaker, EB missed their all important 3rd kick, taken by their Sunil Chettri. Sangram made a clever dive to stop it as he has done in many shots taken by Chettri. For MB, it was 5, EB made 3. The Final score read MB(1) 6-4 (1)EB. For MB, Barreto, James Singh (jr), Lalan Puia, Marcos, Lalkamal Bhomick passed their goalie, Subrata Pal.
Anyways, it was an action packed 120 minutes + tie breaker.
Now the next target is DEMPO SC, an outfit from Goa. We will win the CUP, after 2006. It is the record 17th time Mohun Bagan has advanced to the Finals of the Federation Cup, winning it for record 12 times, with the 13th time to go this year.
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