The 1st half was dominated by the Mohun Bagan Team. Initial 10 minutes both teams tried to measure each other. In 20th minute, Tulunga failed to score with the goalkeeper at his mercy. Goalkeeper Balhous made another save to deny Baichung Bhutia in the 31st minute. In 42nd minute, Rakesh Masih's long ranger parried off by a diving GK for a corner but Mohun Bagan was awarded a penalty after Bhutia was fouled by Cameroonian defender Richard Bohomo. However, Marcos failed to score as his shot was blocked by a diving GK who anticipates correctly. Just before half time, Rakesh Masih tried another long ranger which narrowly missed target. First half score read 0-0.

The second half started with both teams on a positive note. However, against run of play, Mohammed Alhamwi's shot beats Sangram to put Al Karamah 1-0 up in 59th minute. Therefater, Al Karamah started to dominate proceedings. Mariners tries to equalise but good defending by the Syrian team prevented this. Sangram had a great day under the bar pulling off several brillinat saves in the second half. The hosts continued to apply the pressure in the closing minutes with Mukherjee stopping efforts by Iyad Mando and Tamer Haj Mohamad while Al Hamwi had an effort cleared off the line by Lalramluaha. Mohanraj and Tulunga were shown yellow card during the match. In the other match of the group, the match between Al Wihdat of Jordan and Al Kuwait of Kuwait ended 1-1.

REPORT BEFORE START OF MATCH: About 1 hour left for start of match of Mohun Bagan versus Al Karamah at Khaled bin Al Waled Stadium, Homs, stadium is expected to be full, temperature is 5 degree Celsius and it is very windy, already people with flags of the local club have started entering the stadium and there is immense craze and excitement about the match. The crowd is quite vociferous and a bit hostile.

Mohun Bagan: Sangram, Mohanraj, Manju, Odafe, Rahul (Dipak 82), Ishfaq (James Singh Sr. 83), Masih, Marcos (Branco 80), Tulunga, Lalramluah, Baichung.

Al-Karamah, Syria: Mosab Balhous (GK) (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER), Hassan Abbas - captain, Alhamwi (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER), Fahd (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER) [Mando 81'], Belal, Anas, Shbli (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER), Obeng Darko - FW (African) [Tamer Haj Md. (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER), 72'], Jenniat (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER), Richard Bohomo- (African), Feras Ismail (NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER).

YELLOW CARD: Mohun Bagan: Tulunga 15th minute, Mohanraj 72nd minute. Al-Karamah: Richard Bohomo 55th minute.

COURTESY: Prince Rufus, Media officer, Mohun Bagan Club

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Match Highlights

Result - Mohun Bagan : 0 - 1 : Al-Karamah

Team	Sangram Mukherjee , Lalramluaha, S Malswamtluanga , Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira, Rahul Kumar, N Mohan Raj, Peter Odafe, N S Manju, Rakesh Masih, Bhaichung Bhutia, Ishfaq Ahmed (CAPTAIN),
Replacements
MB Goals
Opp Goals	Mohammed Al Hamwi ( 76 min ),
MB Cards
MB MoM