Bagan ride on luck to win Kolkata derby

Kolkata, January 19

Mohun Bagan, who will join Indian Super League from next season as a merged team with ATK, beat arch-rivals East Bengal 2-1 in an emotional penultimate Kolkata I-League derby at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

Spaniard Joseba Beitia gave Mohun Bagan an 18th-minute lead with a free header, a result of 20-year-old Nongdamba Naorem’s livewire passing from the left-flank. East Bengal, who played under pressure in the first-half, looked a transformed unit after the break but Mohun Bagan struck through Baba Diawara (65th) against the run of play with the Man of the Match Beitia sending in a clinical corner kick. The Senegalese rose to the occasion and nodded it home.

Bagan now have 17 points from eight matches, six clear of second-placed Punjab FC. East Bengal suffered their third defeat in a row and are seventh in standings. — PTI