Mohun Bagan keep CFL title hopes alive thanks to Azharuddin Mullick's brace...

Azharuddin Mullick’s brace helped beat Mohammedan 2-1 in the first ‘Mini Kolkata Derby’ of the Calcutta Football League (CFL) on Monday. The win takes Mohun Bagan to 19 points from seven outings and keeps their title hopes alive.

Shankarlal Chakraborty made several changes in the Mohun Bagan starting XI from their disappointing outing against Rainbow AC last week. Nikhil Kadam featured on the right flank replacing Chesterpaul Lyngdoh and Arijit Bagui replaced Sarthak Golui. Shilton Paul too returned from injury and slotted back into the team in place of Shibinraj.

Mohammedan took the lead in the 21st minute from Sk. Faiaz’s strike. The in-form winger netted the opening goal from Dipendu Dowary’s cross from the right side. The Bagan defenders were caught napping inside the box.

Mohun Bagan got numerous opportunities to equalise thereafter but Mohammedan custodian Shankar Roy’s brilliance between the sticks restricted them. Relief was felt in the Bagan camp in the 37th minute when Azharuddin Mullick scored the equaliser from Stephane Bayi Kamo’s pass. It was a stalemate at half time.

The Green and Maroons started the second half on a positive note as they looked hungry for the second goal. Bayi Kamo and Ansumana Kromah launched a series of attacks at the opponents’ goal but defenders Rana Gharami and Richard Agwu stood firm to deny them from scoring.

The Black and Whites ’ attackers also threatened the Bagan defenders several times. Sk. Faiaz, who operated from the left flank and created numerous chances, was particularly impressive whereas Dipanda Dicka looked out of shape and failed to convert easy chances.

In the 92nd minute, much to the Mohun Bagan fans’ relief Azharuddin Mullick completed his brace by heading in a Chesterpaul Lyngdoh cross to gift his side crucial three points.

Mohun Bagan will now take on Peerless SC before locking horns against rivals on September 24. They are back in the title race and will be eagerly hoping for the Red and Golds to drop points against Mohammedan on September 16.

Here are the three things we learnt from the match:

Shankar Roy’s gallant performance in goal

Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Shankar Roy was simply brilliant under the woodwork today. He pulled off some spectacular saves to deny Ansumana Kromah and Stephane Bayi Kamo from scoring on a number of occasions. Even though his top notch performance failed to earn points for his side, he definitely made a name for himself today. Among his several saves, two notable ones of against Bayi Kamo’s thunder strike in the first half and back to back saves of Kromah’s attempts in the second half.

Azharuddin Mullick regains form with two brilliant goals

Azharuddin Mullick was one of the standout performers for Mohun Bagan last season in the . He had scored a wonder goal in the Derby match in April this year which had knocked East Bengal out of the title race. But the youngster failed to replicate his performance this season in the CFL. After a series of below par performance, the winger was dropped by coach Shankarlal in the last match and was replaced by Pintu Mahato. He was brought back in today’s high voltage clash and he has firmly won back the coach's trust. He was flawless on the left flank throughout the game and also netted a brace to keep his team in the title race.

Sk. Faiaz is the new star in town

Mohammedan Sporting may have lost the plot in the CFL after today’s defeat but they surely have gifted Kolkata Maidan a new star. Sk. Faiaz, the lanky winger has been in fine form for his team in the tournament so far. He was the top performer in his team today in the attacking third and created a number of opportunities for the strikers but they failed to finish them. He had scored the all-important first goal with a calm and composed head on his shoulders. Faiaz is one of the best upcoming footballers from Kolkata and will surely attract interest from the big teams in the near future.