Three-time winners Mohun Bagan rode on a second half resurgence to pip Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa, 1-0 in an eighth National Football League match in Kolkata on Thursday.
After a dull and goalless first half, Bagan upped the ante and scored the winner early in the second session through Brazilian striker Edu to extract sweet revenge for an identical loss to the Goans in the first leg of the league.
Bagan, who appeared rudderless before the breather, repeatedly getting lost in a web of mispasses, looked a transformed side in the second half and pulverised the Salgacoar defence, launching waves of well-planned moves at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The all-important goal came in the 51st minute when Mehtab Hossain essayed a floater into the box from the right and Brazilian Edu headed home, leaving Salgaocar goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar stranded.
Dastidar, otherwise, had a good day under the bar, as he saved his side on several occasions.
Salgaocar, who had the upper hand in the first half, holding complete midfield sway, lost steam as time wore on to surrender the dominance to their rivals.
After 13 matches, Bagan now have 18 points, while Salgaocar remain on 17.
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