Bagan gets a beating by JCT 2-1

Kolkata, Nov 27 (UNI) National League runners-up JCT Mills began their I-League campaign with bang, defeating Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the green-maroon backyard here today.

While Eduardo, known as Edu, scored twice for the visitors, S Venkatesh pulled one back for the home team in the 92nd minute.

The Brazilian striker drew first blood in the 14th minute, converting a direct free-kick after Baljit Singh was brought down outside the 18-yard box. Edu's curling right footer swung in, entered into the nets, leaving Bagan custodian Shilton Paul helpless.

The visitor's second goal came in the 75th minute from a brilliant combination set up by Gurwinder Singh and Baljit Saini. Shilton Paul rightly came out of the line to foil the Saini jab, but Edu was waiting to lap-up the rebound.

Bagan got a consolation goal in the injury time when Venkatesh headed home off a Lal Kamal Bhowmick floater from left.

Bagan earned opportunities at the end of the first session and in the dying minutes. Jose Barreto despite the doctor's suggestion to undergo a week's rest due to groin injury, started his campaign in the I-League, and looked lacklustre.

He not squandered sitter in the 37th minute created by Baichung Bhutia.

And considering the quality of the game, JCT Mills superseded its opposition with ease. Gurwinder Singh had an excellent show that often washed out Bagan's preparation in building up attacks. On the other side, Douglas D Silva, known to play the same role as Gurwinder did today, would like to forget today's outing in a hurry.

Carlos must start thinking of settling with Lal Kamal Bhowmick from the beginning and utilizing his two attacking midfielders James Singh and Dharamjit Singh without which the combination of Bhaichung-Barreto would hardly click.

UNI