First Win For Rangdajied

 Rangdajied United upset  McDowell Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the round 12 clash of the Airtel I-League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday afternoon to register their first-ever win in the top flight.

Young Manandeep Singh put the Shillong club in front in the first half and skipper Eugeneson Lyngdoh doubled their advantage in the second period. Mohun Bagan had their chances but India goalkeeper Subrata Pal was outstanding for Rangdajied as Santosh Kashyap masterminded a victory over his former club

The result extends Mohun Bagan’s winless streak to five matches and they remain tenth with 11 points from as many games. Rangdajied have moved out of the bottom spot with a tally of eight points from 11 outings.

Mohun Bagan had plenty of possession in the opening stages but their best opportunity came from a corner when Denson Devadas’ delivery found an unmarked Echezona Anyichie but the Nigerian defender couldn’t hit the target.

Rangdajied were well organised at the back and scored with their first meaningful attack of the game. Japanese wingback Yohei Iwasaki went past a couple of Mohun Bagan defenders before playing the ball into the box and Manandeep scored with a fine finish past Sandip Nandy.

That goal improved Rangdajied’s display as the Shillong club started keeping the ball in midfield and Manandeep was causing problems to the Mohun Bagan defence.

At the other end, Odafa Okolie was lacking support with the Rangdajied backline, led by India international Gouramangi Singh, defending solidly.
Subrata Pal was also alert whenever called upon and made some vital interventions in the first period.

Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa replaced Eric Muranda with CS Sabeeth at the interval but it was Rangdajied who started the second half better.

The Shillong club could have been out of sight by the hour mark but for a couple of good saves by Nandy. The veteran keeper denied Manandeep and Tomba Singh to keep the Kolkata club in the game.

Nandy’s counterpart Subrata then made a world class save to prevent Odafa from scoring and the Mohun Bagan skipper also wasted a sitter after some great work by Katsumi Yusa.

Just when it looked like Mohun Bagan were building some momentum, Rangdajied went two up. A brilliant back-heel from Manandeep set up Lyngdoh inside the six-yard box and the Rangdajied captain slotted home the second.

After that it was the Subrata Pal show as the FC Vestsjaelland-bound custodian produced a couple of top class saves to deny Odafa, who failed to score for the third straight game.

Mohun Bagan eventually ran out of ideas and suffered their fourth defeat of the campaign while Rangdajied celebrated their much-awaited first victory.

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