I-LEAGUE Media Team

GOA:  Salgaocar Footbal Club huffed and puffed their way to a solitary goal victory over Mohun Bagan at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Sunday in the 17th round of the Airtel I-League.

Salgaocar had lost the away match to Mohun Bagan, their first loss after a stunning run in the opening matches of the I-league 2013-14. The former I-league champions, though, got the revenge they wanted with Nigerian striker Dudu Omagbemi scoring the only goal of the match.

The goal helped Salgaocar Football Club accumulate 21 points and move to the fifth spot.

Salgaocar started strongly in the opening minutes and took took the battle to the opposition. With Salgaocar opting to start with a two-pronged attack in Darryl Duffy and Dudu Omagbemi, the hosts had quality men upfront, although it did not translate into any goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Gilbert Oliveira was the first to test Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul with a snap drive, and since that early minute attack, the Bagan goalkeeper was kept busy throughout. Darryl Duffy’s shot from close range seemed dangerous but Shilton was well positioned to avert the danger.

A few minutes later, Mathew Foschiani tested Shilton’s resolve with a powerful long ranger but the Bagan goalkeeper was unmoved, this time being on hand to keep the ball away.

Bagan’s only chance in the first session came through the boots of Aiborlang Khongjee, who was allowed plenty of space and time to take aim at the goal with an extremely powerful long range attempt that Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh managed to get his finger tip to.

Salgaocar continued from where they had left in the second session with the hosts almost breaking the deadlock. A freekick from Gilbert saw Rocus Lamare float the ball towards Chika Wali who headed inside the goalmouth but Dudu could not beat the rival goalkeeper.

Dudu, however, was not to be denied at the hour mark when another flick, this time from Duffy saw Dudu race ahead and finish calmly with only goalkeeper to beat.

Once Salgaocar had taken the lead, Bagan seemed desperate for the equalizer. Coach Karim Bencherifa rang the changes, pressed more men forward, and although there were a few heart-stopping moments in the Salgaocar defence, they stood their ground for the rest of the match, providing little chance for Bagan strikers  Chizoba Christopher and later Yusa Katsumi.