Mohun Bagan Drop Points Again, Held to Draw by Rainbow

Sayak Banerjee / 06-07-2024

Mohun Bagan squandered points again in the Premier Division League, drawing 2-2 with Rainbow at the Bibhuti Bhushan Stadium in Barrackpore on Saturday. This result leaves the Mohun Bagan camp uneasy, as they had previously drawn against Bhawanipore. Saturday’s match was one they could have won, but credit goes to Rainbow for changing the game dynamics just five minutes before halftime. Four goals were scored in the first half, while the second half saw no goals. Mohun Bagan missed multiple goal-scoring opportunities towards the end, which could have secured them a win.

Tyson provided two assists that Suhail converted into goals in the first half. In both instances, Rainbow goalkeeper Shilton Paul’s positioning was questionable. Suhail’s first goal was remarkable as Shilton misjudged the flight of the ball and came forward. Shilton’s mistake also contributed to Mohun Bagan’s second goal, where Suhail headed the ball to make it 2-0.

The game then turned around. Rainbow reduced the deficit with a superb free-kick by Saurav Dasgupta. After scoring, Rainbow’s players’ body language changed as they desperately sought to equalize. In injury time of the first half, a Rainbow player was fouled in the box, earning them a penalty, which Rajan Barman converted to level the score at 2-2.

The second half saw both teams engage in attack and counter-attack. Rainbow’s goalkeeper Shilton Paul redeemed himself with an impressive performance, contrasting with his earlier mistakes. His agility prevented Mohun Bagan from scoring again. However, a minor error from Shilton towards the end gave Suhail and his team a golden opportunity, but they failed to find the net.