Bagan,EB share spoils

Not often do you see such a lukewarm response to a Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby. Turnout was poor,by the big match standards,as Bagan took on East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) premier division encounter at Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday. The ardent fans were there though and a section of them turned violent before the match. There was a clash between the supporters of the two teams near Gate No. 1. Thankfully the situation was brought under control quickly.

The match never rose above mediocrity as the arch-rivals played out a goalless draw. East Bengal dominated the first half,while Bagan had the upper hand after the breather. The red-and-golds were reduced to 10 men after Harmanjot Khabra was sent off in the 76th minute. Bagan,however,couldn’t take the advantage.

In the dying moments,East Bengal’s star striker Bhaichung Bhutia,who came off the bench in the second half,ran into Bagan goalie Shilton Paul,but referee Nilanshu Bhattacharya overlooked the incident.