Mohun Bagan, already in crisis in the absence of star striker Jose Barreto, suffered a further jolt on Sunday, going down 0-1 against JCT in the eighth National Football League match at Kolkata.
Veteran mid-fielder Jo Paul Anchery scored the important goal for the visitors in the 22nd minute as the green and maroon brigade could never rise to the expectations in the Salt Lake stadium encounter, with Barreto, who has threatened to quit, did not turn up.
Anchery, who had additional responsibility on his shoulder in the absence of an injured I M Vijayan, netted from close after Bagan goalkeeper Arindam Ghosh failed to grip K V Dhanesh's corner from the right.
With the win, JCT increased their tally to 15 points from nine matches while Bagan, who tasted their fourth defeat, remained on 11 points from nine outings.
The Punjab outfit, in fact, could have increased their margin but for the mistakes committed by Ancheri and Nigerian striker Stephen Abarohi.
Barely a minute after the goal, Stephen got a measured centre from the right but failed to utilise his territorial advantage to slot home from inside the rival box. Anchery, on the other hand, saw his push from an angle move away from the rival goalline in the 70th minute.
The city giants showed some urgency in the second half and got an easy chance soon after the break.
However, young talent Ashim Biswas thwarted the opportunity as he shot wide a minus from Hardeep Gill. Bagan players, playing before a restive home crowd, had greater domination in the second session but failed to deliver the goods upfront.
The absence of Barreto, who refused to play for the side after being humiliated by some officials, in the upfront was conspicuous as Biswas failed to pose any danger for the rival defence.
Leonardo Monorat de Almeida, the only foreigner in the Bagan squad, also failed to cut any mark in the middle.
The pressure of playing before the home crowd, who were agitated over the factional feuds in the club and Barreto's humiliation in the hands of some officials, also had its impact on the players.
Coach Alok Mukherjee, concerned at the out-of-the-field developments, could only blame his luck for the sad state of affairs.
"We have lost three matches by a single goal margin. However, it seems to be difficult to make a spectacular turnaround without the services of Barreto," he rued.
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