Salgaocar Sports Club brought Mohun Bagan crashing down to earth, scoring an upset 2-0 victory over the defending champions in an 11th round match of National Football League in Kolkata on Monday.
Bagan, a pale shadow of the team that demolished Indian Bank and Dempo in their last two matches, lacked any thrust and penetration and surrendered to the Goans as the match wore on.
Ghanaian ace Bello Rasaq drew first blood to give Salgaocar an early lead in the 15th minute while medio Climax Lawrence increased the scoreline, converting a penalty in the 73rd minute, to seal the fate of Bagan at the Salt Lake stadium.
Rasaq, who got a loose ball inside the box, brilliantly dribbled past Bagan skipper Dulal Biswas and fired a left footer that rammed into the net as goalkeeper Bibash Ghosh made a vain bid to fist it out.
Down by a goal, Bagan pressed the attack button, foraying into the opponent's half repeatedly, but failed to score due to poor finishing coupled with some brilliant saves by Salgaocar custodian Kalyan Chaubey.
The visitors then put the match beyond Bagan's reach, converting the penalty after Bagan stopper Yakubu brought down Liberian striker Sunday Seah inside the box.
With this win Salgaocar moved up to the second spot in NFL table, culling 22 points from 11 matches. Bagan have 18 points from 11 outings.
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