CFL 2019 FULL MATCH -- Mohammedan beat Peerless 2-0, climb to the top of the league table

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING TOPPLED leagued leaders Peerless SC 2-0 to gain a lead in the Calcutta Football League title race today.

Playing in front of a sold out crowd at their own stadium, Mohammedan were on the offensive from the get go against Peerless who came in as favourites, with a sizeable lead at the league table's summit.

Peerless, however, were missing their ace striker, former Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Aizawl FC forward Ansumana Kromah. But their attack didn't spare any effort, and matched Mohammedan Sporting beat for beat, facing down a hostile crowd. The first half ended goalless.

Early in the second half Peerless got the perfect chance to take control of the game when Anthony Wolfe was fouled inside Mohammedan's box. Jiten Murmu stepped up to take the penalty but he ended up playing it wide.

The miss proved costly for Peerless as soon afterwards Mohammedan Sporting came back in the game with a vengeance. Right at the hour mark, Kareem Omoleza scored for them and put them ahead. Within 10 minutes, Chhangte scored for the Black Panthers again, giving them a solid 2-0 lead.

Peerless tried to get a goal back but in the final 20 minutes Mohammedan defended hard to make sure their opponents had no chance to turn the tables on them, ensuring a crucial victory.

You can watch the entire match right here, courtesy Sadhna News.

This victory has taken Mohammedan Sporting to 19 points from 10 matches, at the top of the league table. Peerless have dropped down to 2nd place, with 17 points from 9 matches. At the third place are East Bengal, who are also on 17 points from 9 games.

Mohammedan Sporting will face East Bengal on Thursday; in a match that will go a long way to decide the fate of the CFL 2019 title race. It will be the last match in Mohammedan Sporting's campaign so they must win it to stand a chance to win the league. In the process, they will knock East Bengal out of the title race. Now, if Peerless, who will play a relegation-threatened Rainbow FC in a simultaneous match, fail to win, Mohammedan Sporting will immediately be crowned champions, with 22 points from 11 matches. If Peerless win, however, then they will be on 20 points from 10 matches; which will mean if they beat George Telegraph in their last match they will surpass MSC and become champions. The Black Panthers will have to wait for that match to know the fate of their title challenge.

The third strong contender still in the race are East Bengal. Being level with Peerless in terms of points, they have to ideally beat Mohammedan Sporting and Calcutta Customs in their final two matches and hope for Peerless to drop points in any of their remaining two matches, in order to realize their dream of a record 40th CFL title.

The last time Mohammedan Sporting won the Calcutta Football League was way back in 1981. That was the last time any club other than Kolkata's big two, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, claimed the prestigious local league championship. The last time any other club came close to winning the CFL was in 2014 when Tollygunge Agragami remained in the title race till the last day of the league.

With Mohammedan and Peerless still leading the title race, this season has created a lot of interest among fans as a rare one where a club other than the big two can reign supreme in the popular city-based league that has been going on for 121 years.