DSK Shivajians FC and Mohun Bagan shared points, in the end -- after both sides produced some nail-biting moments to find an opening goal. DSK Shivajians had a goal disallowed near the hour mark, while Mohun Bagan hit the woodwork with 10 minutes remaining in the match, as it ended 0-0 at the Balewadi Stadium.
The visiting team, Mohun Bagan made one change, in midfield Souvik Chakrabarti was replaced by Bikramjit Singh. As for DSK Shivajians, manager David Rogers made three changes – midfielder Rohit Kumar made way for forwarding Sumeet Passi; as an injury-struck, Shane McFaul’s position was filled in by Gouramangi Singh Mairangthem. While, Lallianzuala Chhangte, who has featured in all home games was replaced by another academy product, Sairuatkima.
DSK Shivajians could have been 1-0 up inside the opening first minute, but Kim Song Yong failed to keep his attempt on goal; with only the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Debjit Majumder to beat. Apart from the early scare, both sides struggled to settle down, in the opening 20 minutes; not being able to create any goal-bound effort.
The host team’s 3-5-2 shape allowed them to put pressure during counter attacks, as David Rogers’ side made a series of darting runs at Mohun Bagan’s defence. But Shivajians struggled to find a grip on the ball around the final third area, having penetrated through visitor’s 4-4-2 easily. Kim Song Yong’s effort, in the 39th minute, hit the post, and a follow-through shot by under-pressure, Juan Quero went over the bar; meaning the hosts failed to get the maximum out of the two great opportunities, in the first half.
On the other end, Mohun Bagan’s two wide-men Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde struggled to make an impact against Shivajians wing-backs Jerry Lalrinzuala and Nirmal Chhetri. As the half-time whistle blew, DSK Shivajians looked well-settled compared to Mohun Bagan; with the scoreboard reading a 0-0 score-line.
At the start of second half, Dave Rogers decided to bring Lallianzuala Chhangte in place of Sumeet Passi, who had a quiet evening.
In the final 20 minutes, the game opened up for both the teams. Mohun Bagan -- struggling to provide any real service to their front players, brought midfielder Prabir Das into the frame on 75 minutes.
Since coming on, Das made a telling contribution as Sanjoy Sen’s side played their finest football, in the process. Subashish Bose hit the inside of the right-hand post, in the 79th minute, as the ball bounced out, much to the agony of the Mohun Bagan faithful. Just a minute later, Das provided an excellent through pass to Darryl Duffy, who found Katsumi in the box; the Mohun Bagan captain should have produced a goal with the time he had, but could only fathom a shot straight into SoramAnganba, who stood strong and blocked the shot.
As referee Priyobarta Singh blew the full-time whistle, neither side could produce a goal as the match concluded 0-0; both sides had plenty of efforts to take the most out of it. But despite a goalless scoreline, the match could not be termed uneventful.
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