Mariners paint Hong Kong green and maroon with classic 4-0 victory over South China in AFC Cup

A MEMORABLE NIGHT unfolded in Hong Kong as Mohun Bagan put on a superb display of all-round footballing domination against South China, claiming a 4-0 win after a team effort where just about everyone made noticeable contributions.

Sanjoy Sen dropped the under-performing Raju Gaikwad in favour of Pritam Kotal in the defense. Lenny Rodrigues joined the midfield as Katsumi Yusa played on the right flank. Jeje and Cornell Glen, as usual, were the double pivot up front as Sony Norde looked after the left flank. 

It was the visitors who started the game on the offensive as Glen dribbled past multiple opponent players to take a swing at the goal. The ball missed the post by a couple of inches. 

But Katsumi made all the right moves as his ascent up the right saw Che Runqui bring him down and get booked. In the resulting free kick, both Glen and Katsumi stepped up with the former faking it well to allow the latter a split-second surprise advantage. The ball flew towards the crossbar and the keeper slapped it away... big mistake. It went straight to Lenny Rodrigues standing 3 yards out, completely unmarked. Lenny headed it in. Mohun Bagan were a goal up within 15 minutes.

And to make matters worse, Runqui fouled Katsumi again, minutes later. A second yellow card came out and South China were reduced to 10 men.

But the home team, egged on by their legions, was eyeing a comeback. Chan sent a cross for Awal into the Bagan box and the latter got a header but it hit the post. Then Griffiths made a run, to be fouled by Luciano. Kin Fung took the free kick, Chen got a header again but Debjit did well to save it.

But the tide turned soon. When Griffith brought down Kinshuk Debnath, Norde took the free kick and delivered it for Jeje who got a great touch on it that the keeper managed to save. When Griffith tried to sledge him after that, Glen stepped in to protect his mate.

And then Glen did more than that as he delivered a beautiful ball to Sony Norde that allowed him to break free of the defensive line with acres of space ahead of him. He ran break-neck, with a defender tailing him, and with impeccable timing put the ball past the keeper. 2-0 with 38 minutes on the clock.

And before long it was 3-0. Sony and Glen combined to move up the pitch. Glen's pass allowed Sony to invade the South China box but instead of shooting he intelligently passed the ball to Glen and the striker sunk it straight into the net, giving Bagan a seemingly unbeatable lead at half-time.

When the game resumed, Griffith took a shot at the goal but Debjit got to the volley; no harm done. Then Glen had a go at the target but keeper Hing Kit made a low save. But a moment later when Glen fed the ball to Jeje who sent a gem of a pass to Sony who had only to tap into an open goal, the Haitian winger fumbled as the easiest opportunity of the match went begging.

Katsumi Yusa was also doing his bit. He led a counter and took a shot but the ball went wide.

But he was right on the money when he took a free kick some 81 minutes in, curling it into the penalty box where Jeje Lalpekhlua had an easy job heading it straight in. 4-0 to Mohun Bagan. The mighty South China had been stunned in their own backyard by the Champions of India.

This win means the Mariners get to stay at the top of the AFC Cup Group G points table, just like they are in the I-League. With 6 points from 2 matches, they left behind second placed Yangon United, who are on 4 points thanks to the draw they played out against Maziya earlier today. Mohun Bagan have now without any doubt emerged as the favourites in the group, while South China have been caught severely underperforming. After 2 straight losses, they are languishing at the bottom.