Chhetri strikes as JCT beat Mohun Bagan in NFL

Ludhiana, Jan 10 (UNI) Quick-footed striker Sunil Chhetri struck a brace as JCT blanked Federation Cup champions Mohun Bagan 2-0 in their second outing of the 11th National Football League (NFL) at the Guru Nanak stadium here today.

Chhetri struck in the eighth and 40th minutes to seal the game in favour of the millmen.

After a surprise loss to Mohammedan Sporting in the inaugural match of the NFL at New Delhi, JCT were in full flow on their home turf and outmatched the Kolkata giants.

Chhetri, his strike partner Praveen Kumar and Rennedy Singh gave an outstanding display to outplay Bagan defence manned by Dulal Biswas, Sanjeev Maria and Brazilian recruit Fabio Cortez Vidal.

Nigerian recruit Chidi Edeh also had an impressive match and kept feeding his strikers with short passes.

It was only in the second half that the lethal Bagan striking line-up comprising India captain Baichung Bhutia and Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto made a few forays in the rival defence, but the JCT defence stood its ground.

JCT next play Goan outfit Churchill Brothers here on January 17 while Bagan, winless after two games after drawing their opening tie with HAL (Bangalore), face defending champions Mahindra United in Mumbai on January 14.

UNI