Bagan huff and puff before overcoming ONGC

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Ludhiana, Sep 7: Defending champions huffed and puffed before overcoming a spirited challenge from deubutants Oil and Natural Gas Corporation by 2-1 in extra time of the 29th Hero Cycles Federation Cup Tournament at the floodlit Guru Nanak Stadium here tonight.

After tied one-all in the regulation 90-minute, Mohun Bangan snatched the match-winner in the 107th minute. Mohun Bagan were awarded a corner. Substitute James Lukram Singh sent a centre and Jose Ramirez Barreto headed it in a fine action.

Mohun Bagan will now meet Viva Kerala in quarter-final.

With both team tight at 1-1, the match extended extra time goal in the 30-minute stipulated period , ONGC trailed with a 'self goal' scored by Gulidom Rongmoi as Mohun Bagan forge ahead in the 31st minute while, Jatin Bisht restored parity for ONGC with a 82nd minute goal.

Earlier, Intiating a move, Dharamjit Singh centres the ball to Shanmugam Venkatesh side-stepped a defender but shot straight into the waiting hands of ONGC goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh in the 13th minute.

Mohun Bagan kept the ONGC defenders on their toes. A cross of Dharamjit was misjudged by ONGC keeper Rajat and Jose Barreto aimed at the goal but Amandeep parried it and Rajat made the clearance in the 22nd minute.

Under tremendous pressure, ONGC goal fell with a self goal in the 31st minute. Lal Kamal Bhoumick took the corner kick. While trying to clear the ball Gulidom Rongmoi guided the ball into his own goal to give the holders 1-0 lead.

Serious activities were witnessed again in the ONGC box. Shanmugam Venkatesh sent a pass to Jose Ramirez Barreto. However, ONGC goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh took a good position to collect the ball before it could reach it to Barreto.

In a counter move in the 41st minute, Jatin Singh Bisht gave a through pass to Tarif Ahmed. However Bagan defenders cleared it for a corner. Two minutes later Jatin had a try at the Bagan goal but goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee collected it effortlessly.

Bagan captain Baichung Bhutia headed towards Barreto who gave it to Habibur Rehman Monal. ONGC defence manage to clear it.

ONGC goal survived again in the 70th minute. Baichung Bhutia's header, following a corner shot taken by Barreto, just went wide.

Jatin Bisht atoned for his earlier lapse in the 82nd minute. From the right flank he zig-zagged into the middle before unleashing a sizzling shot which caught Bagan custodian napping to give ONGC the equaliser.

The defending champion through Lukram singh goal and snatched victory in extra time to dash ONGCs dreams.

UNI