Salgaocar rally to down Bagan

Former champions Salgaocar, Goa, staged a grand rally to beat Mohun Bagan 4-3 in a 21st round Tata National Football League match in Goa on Thursday.

Bagan were leading 3-0, but a fine brace by Sunday Seah and a goal each by Alvito D'Cunha and Alex Ambrose took the Goa side to victory and improved their chances of a top three finish in the league.

Jose Barreto (2nd and 15th minute) scored twice for Bagan, who led 3-2 at half-time, while Basudeb Mondal (28th minute) got the other goal.

Mohun Bagan were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute after Amauri DaSilva received his second booking of the match from Malaysian referee R Krishnan, for tripping Alex Ambrose.

The defeat was a setback to Mohun Bagan's title hopes. They play league leaders Zee Churchill in the final round on April 15 and need to win the match to claim the title.

Churchill need only a draw, as they have 42 points, against Bagan's 41. Added to that, the Goa champions have a goal difference of plus-26 compared to Bagan's plus-11.

Bagan dominated the first half hour of the match during which they got their goal. But Salgaocar's move to bring in Dharamjit Singh in place of defender Ryan D'Souza changed the complexion of the match. The Goans settled down and gradually took control of the match. Sunday Seah pulled one back in the 32nd minute and three minutes before half-time, Alvito D'Cunha made it 2-3 for the Goans.

In the second half, Salgaocar dominated the proceedings and took advantage of DaSilva's expulsion to draw abreast in the 73rd minute. Alex Ambrose, who missed four clear chances earlier, made amends to beat Bagan 'keeper Ghosh with an angular shot following a cross from Robert Fernandes.

Sunday Seah troubled the rival defence with his immense speed to score the all-important goal in the 76th minute. Receiving a pass from Ambrose, he despatched a stiff left-footer from inside the box to bulge the net.

Mahindra United, East Bengal win

In other matches, Mahindra United beat Punjab Police 2-0 at Jalandhar while East Bengal got the better of F C Kochin 1-0 in Kochi.

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