Kolkata: A spirited Mohun Bagan rode on a C S Sabeeth second-half strike to hold Mumbai FC 1-1 in a round 13 I-League fixture at the Kalyani Stadium here today.
Having come here with a two-match winning run against Pune FC and East Bengal, the Mumbai outfit started out in a promising fashion drawing first blood with a Mohammad Rafique strike in the 10th minute.
Mohun Bagan looked disoriented and short of ideas after their stunning 4-0 win against United SC for most part of the match, but before it was all over for them Kerala boy Sabeeth struck an 80th minute equaliser.
The draw meant both the teams were locked on 15 points each after 13 matches.
Mumbai FC took the lead when a Nicholas Rodriques corner was headed into the box by an alert Anwar Ali as Rafi unleashed a brilliant side volley from the edge.
Mohun Bagan's star in their big win against United SC Christopher Chizoba looked lacklustre alongside Odafa Okolie while Manish Bhargav was at his wasteful best.
Mumbai FC, on the other hand, looked their aggressive best after the changeover but another goal eluded them with Ghanian strongman Yusif Yakubu missing back-to-back chances.
Out of nowhere, Mohun Bagan returned to action with Sabeeth's cool-headed display when he was set up by his Kerala teammate Denson Devadas to slot the ball home.
Bengaluru pip Mohammedan Sporting with another Chhetri double
Bengaluru pip Mohammedan Sporting with another Chhetri double
Kolkata: India captain Sunil Chhetri fired in a double to help Bengaluru FC overcome a stiff away challenge from Mohammedan Sporting in a thrilling 3-2 win in round 13 that consolidated their I-League lead.
John Menoyngar put the I-League leaders ahead in the 21st minute lead before Joshimar d'Silva Martins' twin-goal blitz (45+1st and 57th) looked to snap their three-match winning streak.
But Chhetri's sparks of brilliance with goals in the 48th and 71st minute ensured that the Bengaluru juggernaut rolled on for their fourth successive victory.
This was Chhetri's third brace in as many games to take his tally to eight, one behind Joshimar jumped to lead with nine goals after today's effort.
The I-League debutants went six points clear off second placed Sporting Clube de Goa with the thrilling win, while Mohammedan Sportng who are also this season's qualifiers remained at 10th place with 13 points in the 13-team standings.
Liberian recruit Menoyngar executed a Beingaichho Beikhokhei corner kick to perfection with a low left footer to give the visitors the lead after a couple of failed attempts from Mohammedan Sporting.
There was no lack of intensity from Mohammedan Sporting who made a comeback at the stroke of half-time with a rare midfield and goalkeeping error by Bengaluru FC.
A long ball played out by Colin Abranches was taken in control by Joshimar who shot it into the target with a goalkeeping lapse by Pawan Kumar.
Chhetri made his presence felt with a stunning goal from outside the box to snatch the lead.
But Mohammedan Sporting once again held Bengaluru's surge with Joshimar striking from a rebound that came from Pawan Kumar.
Chhetri sealed the issue with a brilliant header that came off another Thoi Singh corner.
It was a heart break for Mohammedan Sporting who started out aggressively and could have awarded a penalty after Orji Penn was brought down by Curtis Osano in the 12th minute, but the referee Ratheesh Kumar thought otherwise.
Playing with only Joshimar in front, Mohammedan Sporting clearly missed the Aussie Tolgay Ozbey who is nursing an injury.
Bengaluru FC had no such problem putting up a 4-3-3 formation with Chhetri leading the attack alongside Sean Rooney and Beikhokhei.
