KOLKATA: Darryl Duffy scored hat-trick on his club debut as Mohun Bagan rout Aryan Club 5-1 on Saturady to open their Calcutta Premier Division – A campaign at Mohun Bagan Ground.
Mohun Bagan, who were 1-0 up at half time, scored through Pabir Das (15th minute), Duffy (63rd & 73rd) and Azharuddin Mallick (77th). Meanwhile, Kazeem Amobi (88th) claimed the consolation goal for Aryan.
Going into the game Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty handed club debuts to Tonmoy Ghosh, Tapan Maity, Robinson Singh and Duffy while Ajay Singh, Amandeep Singh and Chinta Chandrashekhar Rao came on as second-half substitutes. While Duffy had Azharuddin to company in upfront, Tapan, Robinson, Prabir and Pankaj Moula formed the midfield, with skipper Raju Gaikwad partnered Sanjay Balmuchu in central defense and Tonmoy and Sarthak Golui started as wingbacks in a 4-4-2 formetion.
Bagan were aggressive from the beginning as they played with quick short passes followed by long balls from the flanks that caught the Aryan defense napping. Prabir worked with perfect understanding with Duffy on the left flank, which saw him score one and assist two.
The Mariners had the first chance of the game in the 6th minute when Sarthak attempted a long ranger which sailed over the bar. However, it doesn’t take long for Bagan to go ahead when Prabir scored off an Azharuddin pass.
Aryan’s response came almost immediately as Chattu Mondal’s attempted free-kick was tipped over by Bagan custodian Arnab Das Sarma for a corner in the 17th minute.
Thereafter, Mohun Bagan had several attacks on the Aryan goal but for all their efforts Mohun Bagan were unable to add to their tally in the remainder of the first-half.
The second-half was a different story altogether, Mohun Bagan began to look more purposeful than in the first-half. Seven minutes into the session, Mohun Bagan almost doubled their lead but Azharuddin’s shot from inside was blocked by Aryan defender Emanuel Chigozie.
The constant pressure paid off as Aryan conceded a free-kick just outside the penalty box after Emanuel brought down Duffy. The Scot stepped up and deposited into the back of the net to made it 2-0.
Just before Aryan could realise their gaping loopholes, Duffy, who later named Man of the Match, banged in another within a space of three minutes after recieving a pass from Prabir.
There was no respite for Aryan in the second-half as Duffy completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute. Prabir once again came up with a well measured cross into the goalmouth, and Duffy was provided with enough space and time to head home.
Azharuddin then made it 5-0 in the 77th minute when he slammed the ball into the net off an pass from Robinson.
Meanwhile, Aryan reduced the margin in the 88th minute when substitute Kazeem headed past Arnab.
Mohun Bagan face George Telegraph next on August 10 at the same venue while Aryan takes on Tollygunge Agragami on August 12 at Barasat Stadium.
Report & Photo By Debabrata Majumder.