Mohun Bagan emerged champions in the Kolkata premier division football league after a 2-2 draw against Mohammedan Sporting in their concluding match in Kolkata on Saturday.
However, Bagan's dream of maintaining an all-win record in the league did not materialize as they dropped their first point. Had they won today, they would have finished with an all-win record for the first time ever in their 116 years of existence.
Mohammedan Sporting started off brilliantly and went into a surprise 2-0 lead before Bagan fought back with a double strike at the Salt Lake stadium.
Veteran Raman Vijayan and Satyajit Bose scored for Mohammedan Sporting while Tomba Singh and Dipendu Biswas found the mark for Bagan.
Sporting went ahead in the 31st minute when Vijayan headed into the net an Amjad Ali corner, much to the dismay of a large number of Bagan supporters at the stadium.
The scoreline became 2-0 only four minutes later when Bose directed into the net a fine pass from man-of-the match Patrick.
Bagan seemed rudderless following the double blow, but within a short time they pulled up their socks and carried out repeated raids to the Sporting citadel.
A minute from half time Bagan's Rodrigues made a brilliant effort, but Sporting custodian Arindam Ghose saved the shot. However, the ball travelled only as far as Tomba, whose shot went into the net off a Sporting defender.
Having reduced the margin, Bagan went all out in the second session and levelled the issue in the 51st minute, with Biswas scoring with a fine header.
Thereafter, Bagan maintained pressure, but could not break the stalemate mainly because of a dour display from Sporting defence, ably marshalled by Suley Musah.
Sporting goalkeeper Arindam Ghose also brought off some good shaves.
Bagan finished with 40 points from 14 matches while Sporting had to be satisfied with only 23 points.
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