It’s Water Under The Bridge – Saheed Ramon

KOLKATA: “I am happy for our supporters,” coach Saheed Ramon reflected on the 3-2 win over Mohun Bagan on Thursday afternoon. “They have been loyal and we owe this victory to them.”

Kareem Omolaja Nurain (7′), Tirthankar Sarkar (11′) and John Chidi (61′) were on target for the Black Panthers while Joseba Beitia (25′) and Salva Chamorro (71′) reduced the margin for Mohun Bagan.

“I am happy about hitting this run of form,” the gaffer sound happy, although, despite the win, he was not entirely satisfied as he believes his side should have beaten Mohun Bagan by a bigger score-line.

“There were numerous goal scoring possibilities that we could have utilised, but that’s football, and the most important thing is the win.” Ramon continued. “We played positive football, we ran and we played forward and I think that’s the most important part. All the players came to the party. Tirthankar (Sarkar) did very well, pushing the team forward and that’s what we expect from him.”

“It wasn’t a walk in the park. Mohun Bagan came out and really made a fight of it. We conceded goals which we shouldn’t have conceded,” admitted the Nigerian mentor, “But when you score more goals than the opponent, it is easier to work on the mistakes.”

“We select the best team for each match. We analyse the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents and, accordingly decide on the starting line-up,” explained Ramon when asked how tough it was to leave team’s top scorer Arthur Kouassi on bench.

Ramon looks forward to Monday’s clash against leaders Peerless SC. “There is no time to dwell on this result. It’s water under the bridge and the challenge is to get ready for the next game,” he concludes.

CFL 2019/20: Clinical Mohammedan Down Mohun Bagan 3-2

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club climbed up to second place in Calcutta Premier Division ‘A’ log with a 3-2 win over Mohun Bagan on Thursday, and those who anticipated a keenly contested affair at the Vivekannda Yuba Bharati Krirangan weren’t left disappointed.

Kareem Omolaja Nurain (7′), Tirthankar Sarkar (11′) and John Chidi (61′) were on target for the Black Panthers while Joseba Beitia (25′) and substitute Salva Chamorro (71′) pulled a couple of goals back for Mohun Bagan.

Going into the match Mohammedan SC coach Saheed Ramon made the only change by handing start to Firoj Ali in place of Amir Hossain.

Mohammedan started the match with more purpose as they threw everything they had to impose their will on their opponents during the early exchanges.

And their efforts were soon rewarded in the 7th minute when Kareem tapped home a Tirthankar Sarkar corner to give Black Panthers an early lead.

Having scored, Mohammedan increased their pressure and attacked the rival goal ferociously going close on a few occasions. Four minutes later, Mohammedan’s pressure yielded another goal when Tirthankar sprinted quite a few yards to beat Mohun Bagan custodian Debjit Majumder with a wonderful shot from the edge of the box.

However, Mohun Bagan never once looked like giving up as the Mariners continued to put pressure on the Mohammedan back-line, and were finally rewarded when Beitia curled in a free-kick from 25 yards out, straight into the top corner.

It proved the confidence boost Mohun Bagan needed, while having the opposite effect on Mohammedan. The chances for Mohun Bagan started flowing, however Mohammedan contained the rampant Mariners until referee blew the half-time whistle with scoreline read 2-1 in Mohammedan’s favour.

Mohun Bagan came out of the sheds fired up to bring themselves back into contention, controlling the ball, winning set pieces and keeping Mohammedan pinned into their own back third.

However, Mohun Bagan weren’t able to keep up the pace and Chidi struck from close range in the 61st minute to consolidate Mohammedan’s lead.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan did not lose hope and attacked with pace. The Mariners were rewarded for their efforts in 71st minute through Chamorro who headed home a Beitia free-kick, but it only served to lessen the margin as Mohammedan held for a famous win to the delight of their coach.

“It’s hard for me to put it into words but you could see it in the emotion of my players it means a lot to us,” said Ramon.

Mohammedan, who now have 16 points from 9 matches, will face leaders Peerless in the potential title decider on September 23.