Mohun Bagan today beat George Telegraph 4-0 in their first match of IFA Shield held in Mohun Bagan ground. Chiddi scored 2 goals while Lukram James Singh and Subha Kumar netted 1 each. Marcos started with Chiddi as his striking partner and gave the latter a good support. After the signing of Surkumar Singh, Bagan were able to deploy four of the national team players that also included Mohan Raj, Dipak Mondal and Rakesh Masih. In midfield, Micky and Kuluthungan was in central medio position with James and Snehasish as right and left back respectively. Mickey and Chiddi had a very good match today.

Mohun Bagan looked to pile pressure on the visitors from start of the match and scored within 3 minutes. James took a free kick from right side which went straight to goalkeeper but he could not gather the ball properly and the ball hit Chiddi's chest and went into goal.

Mariners continued their pressure and many chances were created as they combined well with their overlapping play down the flanks. From a center from left side, Marcos took a diving header which unfortunately went straight to goalkeeper.

In 20th minute, Mohun Bagan got a penalty when Chiddi was brought down inside box. However, Chiddi missed the penalty when he shot over cross bar. Two shots from Marcos and Surkumar caused panic in George box but unluckily for Mohun Bagan did not result in goal.

In 38th minute, James scored the 2nd goal when he brilliantly headed the ball in from Snehasish corner, the ball took a parabolic motion and went inside goal.

In the next minute, Chiddi scored his second and team's 3rd goal when he got a loose ball from midfield and took his time and neatly placed the ball to goalkeeper's left inside goal making it 3-0.

In 2nd half, George played well and made few good movements, two of their attempts hit cross bar. From counter attack, Mohun Bagan created few chances but could not increase their margin. Coach Karim made few changes and brought in three fresh legs in the form of Subha Kumar, Santa Kumar and Suraj Mandal who replaced Marcos, Snehasish and Chiddi. Few minutes before end of match, Subha Kumar scored a gem of a goal, when he took a long ranger from about 35 yards out via his left foot that went crashing into the net.

Mickey, Chiddi and James had an outstanding game today. Coach Karim said, "I am quite happy with team's performance today. We played in 4-2-3-1 formation. This year I am adapting the team in 3 formations, either 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, according to match and situation of the game we will change strategy."

Mohun Bagan thus took 3 full points from this match. In this group, Mahindra had won 2-0 against George Telegraph. Mohun Bagan will face Mahindra on Sunday at 3 p.m.

TEAM: Sangram, Mohanraj, Dipak, Masih, Surkumar, Snehasish (Santa Kumar 77'), Mickey, Kuluthungan, James Singh, Chiddi (Suraj 84'), Marcos (Subho Kumar 73')

GOALS: CHIDDI (3', 40'), James 38', Subho Kumar 89'

PICTURE COURTESY: Subir Majumder

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Match Highlights

Result - Mohun Bagan : 4 - 0 : George Telegraph

Team	Sangram Mukherjee , Micky Fernandez, Lukram James Singh, Snehasish Chakraborty, Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira, Surkumar Singh, N Mohan Raj, Deepak Mondal, Rakesh Masih, Kuluthungan, Chidi Edeh,
Replacements	Marcos Alexandro de Carvalho Pereira , ( out - 71), Snehasish Chakraborty , ( out - 77), Chidi Edeh , ( out - 85), Subho Kumar , ( in - 71), Santa Kumar , ( in - 77), Suraj Mandal , ( in - 85),
MB Goals	Chidi Edeh ( 3 min ), Lukram James Singh ( 38 min ), Chidi Edeh ( 40 min ), Subho Kumar ( 89 min ),
Opp Goals
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