The game was in its last 10 minutes. The members’ gallery at the Mohun Bagan ground was up on its feet, offering a standing ovation. Walking out of the ground was Ansumana Kromah, the slayer of Mohun Bagan on Monday. That was indeed a ‘peerless’ moment, for not everyday do Maidan diehards salute an opposition player who minutes before had painted embarrassment on their favourite team.
But it was that kind of a day, the unexpected seemed to be the norm.
Mohun Bagan, who had begun the season with a 2-0 win over Mohammedan Sporting in the Durand Cup, came crashing down at their home ground when they were humbled 0-3 by Peerless SC in a CFL Premier Division A match. That, by Liberian Kromah’s brace and another well-executed goal from Purulia boy Laxmi Kanta Mandi.
The scoreline may indicate so, but Bagan were not really outplayed. It was more like a careless fall, with ‘lack of preparation’ written all over it. Otherwise how would you make sense of several setpieces, multiple corner-kicks and even a spot kick being wasted?
Defending champions Bagan didn’t play the opening minutes too badly, but last year’s runners-up Peerless were always looking threatening in counterattacks.
The packed galleries at the Bagan ground fell silent when in the 21st minute, Kromah, following a one-two with Pankaj Moula, dribbled past Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul and slotted the ball in coolly.
Bagan, under new coach Kibu Vicuna, tried their best not to let the goal affect their confidence and were making forays into the rival box as well. In the 34th minute, Francisco Gonzalez’s header off a Joseba Beitia corner found the post.
But despite all their efforts, the green and maroon brigade didn’t find the target and the first half ended 1-0.
One expected a recharged Bagan to take the field in the second half. And they began well too, forcing Peerless’s Kallon Kiatamba to effect a goal-line save minutes after the restart.
Again, in the 53rd minute, Bagan raised hopes of an equaliser when a good build-up found Salva Chamorro in an advantageous position in the box. But Bagan were again denied by the post with the Spaniard’s header not finding a way in. The rebound, however, presented another opportunity, but Chamorro shot over from point-blank range.
Somehow, Bagan were increasingly losing their confidence, as if it was being drained out by the scorching August sun. While the packed house was waiting eagerly for a Bagan equaliser, Peerless drilled in their second goal. A quick build-up courtesy Anthony Wolfe and Kromah found the Bagan defenders out of place in the 77th minute. Kromah cut in from the left and laid it for substitute Mandi just outside the box. With ’keeper Shilton charging needlessly towards the ball, a composed Mandi lobbed it over him to stun Bagan.
The very next minute, with Bagan still to recover and regroup, Kromah killed the game with his second goal. Shilton was once again out of position, trying to clear a through ball intended for Kromah. The Bagan ’keeper failed and the Liberian pushed the ball into an open net.
Soon after, Kromah was substituted, going out in the halo of a standing ovation.
The remaining few minutes were a formality, but Bagan could have reduced the margin in the added time had Chamorro not messed up the spot-kick.
Peerless coach Jahar Das thought Bagan would have to be more imaginative in their strategy. “They were just trying to play with long balls from the flanks, but that didn’t work since we were prepared… We kept Chamorro under double marking. Also, they don’t have someone who can create chances and convert them too.”
Vicuna admitted they “didn’t expect such a result”. He summed it up saying: “We weren’t the best team when we won three days ago and we weren’t the worst team today.”
Former Bagan player Kromah, by the way, almost seemed apologetic for defeating Bagan. “When I score against Bagan, I am always sad. I love Bagan, love the fans… I am happy that my team won, but I’m also sad for Bagan.”
Sounds strange? But it was that kind of a day.
