Mohammedan Sporting thrash Pathachakra in CFL clash

The Black Panthers went up in the fourth place in the league standings.

Mohammedan Sporting Club put in a stellar second-half performance to rout Pathachakra Club 3-0 in their Calcutta Premier Division ‘A’ fixture on Monday at Mohammedan Sporting ground.

After a barren first-half, goals from Tonmoy Ghosh (48′), Princewill Emeka (73′) and Dipendu Dowary (80′) handed the Black Panthers (10 points) their third win of the campaign as they moved up to the fourth place in the log.

Going into the match, Mohammedan SC technical director Raghu Nandi made two changes from the previous match by handing starts to Rahul KP and Laltu Hembram at the expense of Prosenjit Chakraborty and Rakesh Karmakar.

In a game of equal exchanges, it was Mohammedan SC who went close first in the 11th minute when Kamran Farooque fired from range, however, his powerful effort narrowly missed the target.

Ten minutes later, Pathachakra went close when Anto Pejic set free on a counter attack. However, Mohammedan SC custodian Priyant Singh pulled off a brilliant save to keep the score goalless.

Having held on a few attacks midway through the half, Mohammedan SC began pushing up with intent creating a host of chances only to lack the killer finish in the final third.

Nonetheless, Mohammedan SC almost took the lead in the 36th minute when Rahul found himself clear inside the box. The move began with Satyam Sharma finding Dipendu clear on the right who cut back outside the box to Rahul. The young winger beat his marker to get into the box but fired inches wide from close range.

Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC were dealt a huge blow in the 43rd minute when Priyant was forced to leave the field owing to a shoulder injury and had to be replaced with Arup Debnath, who made his club debut.

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In the closing moments of the opening half, Princewill had another chance to give Mohammedan SC the lead, but he hammered his effort wide as the first-half ended goallessly.

Needing a goal, Mohammedan SC came out all guns blazing in the second half as they attacked by pushing high up. The pressure paid off as Mohammedan SC finally broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Tonmoy converted from the spot.

The penalty was awarded to Mohammedan SC after Lalkamal Bhowmick punched out Bazie Armand’s goal-bound header which also saw Lalkamal getting his marching orders.

Having taken the lead, Mohammedan SC got a much-needed confidence boost and they increased their pressure up front looking to use their numerical advantage to effect.

Thereafter, Mohammedan SC continued to dominate the proceedings but had to wait till the 73rd minute to get their second. Dipendu with a brilliant run on the right got past his marker and passed across the goal to Princewill, who slotted in at the far post.

Meanwhile, on a few occasions, Peerless created anxious moments for the Mohammedan SC defense, but they lacked the cutting edge to stage a comeback.

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With Mohammedan SC cruising, the confidence of the players understandably soared and Dipendu made it three in the 80th minute after taking full advantage of a defensive error by Snehaish Chakraborty.

Pathachakra launched a few attacks in the closing stages of the game in search of a consolation goal, but it did not come and ultimately, the game ended 3-0 in favour of Mohammedan SC, who will face Peerless SC next on August 30, 2018.