IFA Shield: Bagan enter semis

Mohun Bagan held Mahindra United 1-1 in a keenly contested encounter to set up semi-final clash with the United SC in the IFA Shield.

Snehashish Chakraborty helped Mohun Bagan surge ahead in the 25th minute, but Mahindra United bounced back after the breather to level the score in 46th minute through Mijin Svetozar.

In the second-half Bagan was under tremendous pressure as their defenceline appeared vulnerable in the absence of India stopper N S Manju, who is out of action due to toe fracture.

However, the 20-time champions managed to hold Mahindra United to finish with four points together with the latter, but on the basis of goal difference, the Kolkata giants entered final-four from Group C.

In absence of their ace striker Jose Ramirez Barreto, who is recovering from a muscle pull, Mohun Bagan's Brazilian recruit Marcos Pereira once again paired up with their new Nigerian forward Edeh Chidi.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan's frenzied supporters were at it again as Mahindra custodian Subhashish Roy Chowdhury left bleeding near his eye after being hit by an object thrown from the gallery.

The incident happened midway into the second-half and the match was stopped for 10 minutes till Subhashish became fit to take the guard again.

It was Snehashis and James Singh who stole the show with their superb combined effort that yielded Mohun Bagan the first goal.

A well-placed centre by James was not within the reach of Mahindra defenders as Snehashish surged forward and rose to the occasion, heading it home from the left side of the box.

Mahindra custodian Subhashish Roy Chowdhury dived to his left but his effort went in vein.

Required to win the match by at least a three-goal margin for their progress into the semis, Mahindra United was forced onto the backfoot in the face of a concerted Mohun Bagan attack.

Surkumar Singh and Kalia Kulothungan had their chances but Bagan failed to add to their tally during the first 45 minutes.

Desperate for a win, Mahindra United regrouped after the changeover and it took them few seconds to equalise, cashing in on a loose Mohun Bagan defence.

Mahindra's new Serbian recruit Mijin was left unmarked in the right minute and he did not make any mistake to head it home which was beyond the reach of Mohun Bagan's goalkeeper Shilton Paul.