TP Rehenesh was adjudged man of the match for his briiliant performance against arc-rivals Mohun Bagan.[/caption]Internet Desk: The first Kolkata derby of the Hero I-League season ended up goal-less at the Kanchenjunga Stadium at Siliguri as both the arch rivals failed to break the dead-lock in a game which was full of excitements and some shrewd tactical battles between the two brilliant coaches in the dugouts.
It was a game of nerves and East Bengal started the first half in an ultra-defensive fashion which allowed Mohun Bagan to play some freeflowing attacking football. The attacking flair of Sony Norde and Darryl Duffy continued to trouble the Red and Gold back four in the first 45 minutes.
The first chance came for Mohun Bagan in the 14th minute, when Sony Norde played a delightful ball to an overlapping Pritam Kotal and and in-form TP Rehenesh made a breathtaking save to prevent the goal.
In the 22nd minute, East Bengal made their first positive move when Wedson Anselme found Willis Plaza with a cunning through ball, but the Caribbean's shot was well saved by Debjit Majumder.
In the 27th minute, Wedson tried to go from distance after some good dribbling, but his powerful shot went well over the cross piece.
Mohun Bagan kept maintaining the pressure as Sony Norde's gorgeous corner kick needed another sublime save by Rehenesh to prevent it from going in.
Just before the half time whistle, Jeje found Souvik Chakraborty outside of the box and the midfielder showed some insane skills before placing a fine shot which was brilliantly stopped by the East Bengal custodian.
East Bengal started the second half with an inspired fashion and got the best chance of the game in the 57th minute when Willis Plaza made a scintillating run by hoodwinking Eduardo to follow a flick header by Robin Singh and missed a sitter as Debjit Majumder made a phenomenal save from close range.
East Bengal made a change in the 67th minute as Robin Singh made his way for young Semboi Haokip. Mohun Bagan too changed their centre forward in the 75th minute when Jeje was replaced by Balwant Singh.
Mohun Bagan made a counter attacking move against the run of play as Katsumi's shot got deflected by the foot of Ivan Bukenye and went just wide of the first post.
Wedson Anselme made a darting run in the 83rd minute when Mehtab played a stupendous 40 yards' pass for the Haitian midfielder but Debjit denied him with a timely intervention.
The shrewd tactics of East Bengal's British Coach hardly allowed the dangerous Sony Norde to make any significant contribution in the game and thus forced coach Sanjoy Sen to take him off in the 83rd minute when Prabir Das replaced him.
The Mariners got a late chance from a free kick taken by Pritam Kotal in the 89th minute, but Balwant's powerful header went just wide.
The game though ended up in a draw but both the coaches would still find themselves in a satisfying sphere at they still enjoy their positions at the top of the points table with East Bengal at no.1 owing to an extra match and 3 points lead in their kitty.
Hero of the Match: TP REHENESH
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