Play-by-Play: Mohun Bagan decimate jaded Bengaluru thanks to Katsumi's super brace

MOHUN BAGAN RE-ANNOUNCED themselve in the I-League title race by putting on a ferocious display at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, scoring an emphatic 3-0 victory over defending champions Bengaluru FC.

Some of the players coming off international duty got some respite. Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Sunil Chhetri started from the bench for Bengaluru FC, while Mohun Bagan put Jeje Lalpekhlua on the bench, choosing instead to start with the U-22 striker Azharuddin Mallick. Pritam Kotal, Udanta Singh, Anas Edathodika, Sandesh Jhingan and Sony Norde were present at the first eleven, mere days after playing for their country and undertaking a long travel. The home team also gave Raju Gaikwad, the December signing who was out with an injury all this time with an injury, a place in the starting line-up. The intention was clear from the get go: both teams came in with the intention of picking up full points, and with an aggressive posture. 

The game began in front of a sold out crowd at Rabindra Sarobar with an unusual urgency. Both coaches undoubtedly wanted an early goal on the board. From minute one it was a back and forth exchange of attempts. And it didn't take long for the scoreboard to spring to life.

After a couple of initial runs from the visitors, the home team took control. Sony was on top form, leading the attack from the left. After a couple of moves Sandesh Jhingan got on his case. 10 minutes in he received a ball from the midfield, took on Sandesh as well as Udanta and cut into the box. His shot was well saved by Amrinder.

Minutes later a lofted ball reached Katsumi Yusa in the box and he found the net, but the goal did not stand due to offside. The Japanese medio did not protest and assumed his position again. It wasn't long before another pass reached him. His low shot taken from the edge of the box gave Amrinder a fraction of second to react. The keeper still managed to dive to his right and get a hand on the ball, but the sheer pace of the piledriver pushed it past the goal line despite that. The crowd erupted: Katsumi Yusa who has come close to scoring against Bengaluru FC multiple times this season had finally found his mark.

That was 13 minutes into the game. 

The relentless waves of attack continued. Even the youngster Azharuddin, given a major platform to showcase his talent, was making his presence felt with some lethal runs and drawing tackles. It was one such foul that set Sony Norde up for a 30 yard free kick. The free kick, swerving in the air, descended just below the Bengaluru defence line, and Duffy managed to get his head onto it. Goal again. 25 minutes in Mohun Bagan were 2-0 up.

The flow from the Mariners was the best they had shown all season. The rest of the first half saw a rickety Benglauru try to hold on; Alwyn George even came close to scoring an own goal.

Not long after the match resumed, Mohun Bagan struck again. This time it was a dream move from Sony Norde who picked up the ball in his own half and ran breakneck all the way up the left flank, with a defender in tow, making his way past a number of opponent players. He sent a cross to Katsumi Yusa on the right who sent a low finisher that managed to evade Amrinder and found the very edge of the far post. It was 3-0.

Bengaluru put up a desperate front to regain some foothold in the game. Mandar Rao Dessai, who had come on at half-time, came close shortly after the hour mark. His shot took a deflection from Bagan keeper Debjit and hit the post. 

That was the closes the defending champions came to scoring. Mohun Bagan kept hold of most of the possession. They made subs up front but allowed the two most destructive players, Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde, to stay on the pitch till the end and deny the visitors a chance to get back their rhythm.

BFC coach Albert Roca, too, had read the writing on the wall. The likes of Sunil Chhetri and Eugeneson Lyngdoh remained unused. Not counting the couple of rash tackles from Sandesh Jhingan the game rolled on towards an uneventful finish.

With 3 points in the bag, Mohun Bagan are once again back in the title race. They now stand at 26 points from 13 matches, a point behind arch rivals East Bengal with a game in hand. For them, this win not only gives them retribution for the loss to Bengaluru FC last month in their AFC Cup away tie, but also acts as a potent show of force to set up next week's Kolkata Derby.

Bengaluru FC clearly chose to prioritise their upcoming AFC Cup group stage match over this game and played a less experienced squad. They paid the price for that. With the league title already out of reach, they have lost nothing more than bragging rights here. 

Here's how the match unfolded, narrated in our play-by-play match updates...