Barretto heads in Bagan's winner

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, FEB. 5. Mohun Bagan's three most hard-working players combined to puncture Mahindra United's hopes in a National Football League game at the Cooperage here today.

Striker Jose Barretto applied the finishing touch to an R.C. Prakash floater off a pass from R.P. Singh, the header past goalkeeper Virender Singh turning out to be the match- winner.

The Calcutta team's fourth victory in five NFL matches was on expected lines, but not the manner in which a depleted Mahindra United fought it out, even while struggling to field 11 fit players. Tapon Ghosh took the place of injured Bernard Oparanozie in the defence, but limped off after 20 minutes. Coach Shabbir Ali faced another unexpected situation when striker Manjit Singh asked to be replaced.

Faced with such a makeshift side, Bagan should have won by more than a one-goal margin, but for two reflex saves by custodian Virender Singh to foil substitute Amar Ganguly and Brazilian defender Amouri. Mahindra United's fluid passing and tight defending, where central defenders Christopher and Habib Adenkule did a competent job of keeping a close watch on Barretto, too made life difficult for the NLF leader.

The match-winner was created out of nowhere, R.P. Singh latching on to the ball after Mahindra United skipper Aqueel Ansari lost the ball just outside the Bagan `D', took off on a long run in a fine exhibition of speed and ball control. He slipped a pass to R.C. Prakash almost near the corner flag on the left, who in turn essayed a precise floater over the defence for an unmarked Barretto to score with a neat header.

The rest of the match was marked by open, attacking play with a lot of free spaces for the gifted players to exploit, like R.C. Prakash's pace and thrust, Barretto's body control and sudden changes of direction, Dulal Biswas' energy for overlapping runs on the right flank. Mahindra United's makeshift squad did not have an outstanding performer, but Christopher and Habib showed the way with their determined defending against such a mighty attack.

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Section  : Sport
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