Bagan finish on winning note

Former champions Mohun Bagan rounded off their engagements in the National Football League with a 4-1 victory over Indian Bank in Chennai on Tuesday.

The Kolkata outfit, disjointed following internal feud and change of coaches, finished with 24 points from 22 matches and ensured that they remained in the league.

The bankmen were, however, relegated to the Second Division after finishing with eight points.

The green and maroon brigade showed shot into the lead in the second minute. Renedy Singh, the most consistent performer for Bagan this season, sent a superb free-kick for Mehtab Hussain to nod home.

Crossing over, the Bagan medios wove patterns around their rivals. Mehtab essayed a short pass to Manitombi Singh, whose cross was trapped by Zimbabwean Noel Kasake, who slammed the ball home in 54th minute.

In the 65th minute, Kasake made it 3-0. He dashed into the rival box, stepped ahead of two defenders and slammed the ball to the right of goalkeeper Sebastian Netto.

Making good use of Basudev Mondal's pass, Mehtab's forward pass was booted home by Sunil Chettri in the 84th minute.

Indian Bank star striker Sabir Pasha, who came in in the 75th minute, created pressure on the rivals. He slammed the ball in from just outside the box following a free-kick, awarded when Mahendra Mani was brought down by Manitombi Singh.