Mohun Bagan claim historic 14th Fed Cup title by bulldozing Aizawl FC 5-0, Jeje scores brace

THE COLOUR OF HISTORY was Green and Maroon in Guwahati tonight as Mohun Bagan bulldozed Aizawl FC 5-0 to claim their 14th Federation Cup title; one of the most dominant cup final performances in the history of the fabled tournament.

The rain did play spoilsport, to a large extent. The irregular drizzle that had been lurking around Guwahati for the last few days turned into a steady stream in the morning, not too hard but enough to discourage the casual fan from making the long trip to Sarusajai, and get drenched for two-odd hours. (The Indira Gandhi Stadium has roofin only on one of its four ends) As a result, the approximately 3,000 people who turned up, were all travelling fans from Bengal and Mizoram; few Guwahati residents, if any. 

When the game began, it was obvious there were no favourties tonight. Aizawl FC didn't seem to be missing their captain, David Lalrinmuana, who picked up a red card in the semis. They started with a sense of mature composure that was missing at the start of the season, and soon Mohun Bagan were playing catch-up in terms of possession and speed. 

But it was the Green and Maroons who got the better chances in the first few minutes. After an early Aizawl corner Katsumi and Glen moved up in tandem to make for a counter, and the ball reached Jeje via Sony Norde. The Indian national team striker let fly from inside the penalty box but the pace was slightly off and Chullova made a timely interference to the ball out. Bagan came again, this time Cornell Glen was fouled just outside the penalty box but the referee waved it off. Immediately Aizawl striked back with Zohmingmawia almost through into the Bagan penalty box but Luciano Sabrosa managed to avert the danger. 

A fascinating end-to-end contest ensued. Sony Norde, who was playing against Aizawl FC for the very first time, was trying his hardest but Jahar Das had employed two of his swiftest stoppers to mark him. Twice he tried to make his way into the penalty box but was brought down. Meanwhile, Aizawl got a 30-yard free kick that Alfred Jaryan shot too high.

Sony tried another of his runs up the flank but Emmanuel Chigozie sent him tumbling, clutching his knee. Everybody rushed in, partly to check on him and partly to argue with the referee Ramaswamy Srikrishna who had his hand in his pocket. After some yelling and hand waving, the yellow card finally came out. 

Zohmingmawia got a shot on target. Mohun Bagan keeper Debjit Majumder dived to his left, couldn't judge the bounce of the ball, and fumbled on the first try. Lucky for him there wasn't a red shirts around. 

Then came the chance of the half, with Katsumi Yusa delivering a corner kick right into Glen who made a lacklustre finish, allowing Aizawl keeper Poirei to easily make the save. Luck betrayed Glen again when he made a dash with the ball minutes later, and Chigozie made a clearance for corner, but the referee called it a goal kick. Mohun Bagan had one last chance in the first half, through a Sony Norde free kick, that went too high.

The first half ended goal-less but the second half began in an explosive fashion for the Mariners. The rain had stopped, and the Bagan domination had begun. Minutes after the match re-started, a brilliant ball reached Jeje Lalpekhlua inside the Aizawl penalty box that the striker sent towards an onrushing Sony Norde. The finish was perfect, Poirei didn't stand a chance. It was 1-0. The deadlock was broken.

Almost immediately Aizawl got a chance to strike back. Chigozie got hold of a corner kick but sent it way too high.

And soon Mohun Bagan doubled the lead. Katsumi's corner kick reached Dhanachandra Singh, whose header was dead on target. The Manipuri defender's second goal of the season, and enough to help Bagan establish a total control over the game. It was 2-0, and chances of an Aizawl comeback looked unlikely.

And pretty soon Jeje Lalpekhlua came through with a beautiful curling ball that took the corner of the net. It was three-nil, and the Mizo striker heartily celebrated his goal against his hometown club. 3-0. 

In the stand, the Bagan fans now had started celebrating, chanting and singing the names of players and coaching staff, and throwing around green and maroon colours. 

Aizawl got their best chance to score when Yuta Kinowaki got a lot of space, ran in, but then messed it up by shooting just wide.

And then came the fourth goal. It seemed the Aizawl defenders had almost given up. Sony sent in a ball from the left flank that Bikramjit tapped into an open goal. 4-0, and there wasn't left to do in the match. 

Debjit Majumder made a couple of great saves to keep the clean sheet but the result was inevitable at this point. But Jeje Lalpekhlua got the fans one final reason to cheer. The cross came from Azharuddin Mallick and it was an easy finish for the striker, and 5-0 to Mohun Bagan.

The final whistle came much later, but the gallery had already become a party scene, flags and flairs galore. It was the 37th grand final that the Federation Cup had witnessed, and the 14th time that Mohun Bagan, the National Club of India, had won it for the 14th time. Another historical feather in the century old club's cap, and a vindication for Sanjoy Sen and his boys who just about missed out on the I-League title this season. And although Aizawl FC had put up nothing short of a spectacular performance coming this far, in the end they fell quite short of getting their hands on the fabled silverware. It was Mohun Bagan's night through and through.