MARGAO, FEB 25: Mohun Bagan's calculations to take a firm grip on the leader-board received a setback when they were held to a one-all draw by last year's runners-up Churchill Brothers in an exciting fast-paced Philips National Football league match at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here today.Bagan's Cameroon new recruit Dako N David who failed to impress gave them the lead in the 43rd minute.
Churhcill who dominated the proceeding throughout the match restored parity in the 55th minute.
With this draw, Mohun Bagan have 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses) from 12 matches.
Churchill is tied up with Dempo with 17 points each from fourteen matches.
Defender Anit Kumar Ghosh who bottled up Chima Okerie played his heart out to annex the Man-of-the-Match Award.
Dako N David was shown the yellow card by referee Gulab Chauhan.
Churchill, who lost 1-2 in the first leg, needed a win to remain above the relegation spot played with their medios Aqueel Ansari, Tejinder Kumar and Bassim Yonnan who workedhard to keep their forwards Chibuzor, Marcus and Harineki busy.
With good support from defender Ratan Singh they kept on penetrating into the rival half but failed to impress at the penalty area as either their forwards failed to position themselves at the time or were wayward in their shooting.
On the other hand, Bagan midfield failed to function. Cameroon new recurit Dako David except for the goal he scored was a mere passenger in the midfield. With Chima well bottled up by defender Emeka Okeke and Anit Kumar Ghosh, their attack lacked sting. They had only two chances in the first half of which they scored one.
Bagan could have surged ahead in the eighth minute when a floater from Dipendu Biswas saw defender Anit Kumar Ghosh and Emeka Okeke beaten, Chima Okerie latched on to the ball and after entering the box took a shot at the goal which went out.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
