2016–17 Mohun Bagan FC season explained

Mgrtitle:Head coach
Chrtitle:President
Stadium:
League Result:Runners-up
League2 Result:3rd
Cup1 Result:Group stage
Cup2 Result:Runners-up
League Topscorer:Duffy (7)
Season Topscorer:Duffy (15)
Highest Attendance:23,859
(Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal)
9 April 2017
Lowest Attendance:1,298
(Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC)
17 May 2017
Average Attendance:8,118
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Rightarm1:91191B
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Pattern La2:_mbaway_1415
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Nextseason:2017–18

The 2016–17 Mohun Bagan FC season was the club's 10th season in I-League and 127th season since its establishment in 1889. They finished third in the Calcutta Football League and runners-up in the I-League. Mohun Bagan finished third in group stage of the AFC Cup and ended the season as runners-up of Federation Cup.

Transfers

In

Pre-season

No.Pos.NameSigned fromRef.
31GK Monotosh Ghosh Shillong Lajong
42GK Agiapal Singh Tata Football Academy[1]
42GK Shibinraj K Indian Air Force[2]
4DF Ashim Dey Aryan
17DF Deepak Devrani FC Pune City
18DF Avinabo Bag East Bengal
19DF Tonmoy Ghosh Mohammedan
20DF Chinta Chandrashekar Rao Sporting Goa[3]
23DF Haroon Fakruddin DSK Shivajians
25DF Bikramjeet Singh Mohammedan
2DF Danny Seaborne Partick Thistle
5MF Dhananjoy Yadav Aryan
8MF Babul Biswas George Telegraph
11MF Thangjam Singh Mumbai City FC
13MF Sourav Das Tata Football Academy
26MF Amandeep Singh Minerva FC
27MF Tapan Maity Southern Samity
29MF Raynier Fernandes Air India[4]
34MF C.L.Ruata Mohun Bagan SAIL Academy[5]
2FW Daniel Bedemi Bhawanipore
9FW Darryl Duffy Salgaocar
15FW Ajay Singh Mohammedan
28FW Simranjit Singh Minerva FC[6]

Mid-season

No.Pos.NameSigned fromRef.
1GK Pawan Kumar Chennaiyin[7]
14DF Eduardo Ferreira FC Pune City[8]
17DF Subhasish Bose Sporting Goa
45DF Anas Edathodika Delhi Dynamos
27MF Pintu Mahata Mohun Bagan SAIL Academy
28MF Sehnaj Singh East Bengal[9]

Out

Pre-season

No.Pos.NameSold toRef.
22GK Vinay Singh Mohammedan[10]
2DF Danny SeaborneReleased[11]
2DF Luciano SabrosaReleased
39DF Suman HazraReleased
8MF Lalkamal Bhowmick Bhawanipore[12]
17MF Ram Malik Bhawanipore
25MF Tirthankar Sarkar Bhawanipore
27MF Adarsh TamangReleased
34MF Manish Bhargav Bhawanipore
13FW Cornell Glen Ozone F.C.[13]

Mid-season

No.Pos.NameSold toRef.
1GK Arnab Das Sharma Minerva Punjab[14]
31GK Monotosh GhoshReleased
42GK Agiapal SinghReleased
4DF Ashim DeyReleased
5DF Dhanachandra SinghReleased
17DF Deepak Devrani Minerva Punjab[15]
18DF Avinabo BagReleased
19DF Tonmoy GhoshReleased
20DF Chinta Chandrashekar Rao Mumbai[16]
23DF Haroon Fakruddin Chennai City[17]
28DF Abhishek Das Minerva Punjab[18]
5MF Dhananjoy YadavReleased
8MF Babul BiswasReleased
11MF Thangjam SinghReleased
20MF Brandon FernandesChurchill Brothers[19]
26MF Amandeep SinghReleased
27MF Tapan MaityReleased
34MF C.L.RuataReleased
42MF Lenny Rodrigues Bengaluru FC[20]
2FW Daniel BedemiReleased
15FW Ajay SinghReleased
28FW Simranjit Singh Minerva Punjab[21]

Kits

Supplier: Shiv Naresh / Sponsors: Legion

Pre-season

Overview

June

On 14 June 2016 Mohun Bagan announced that they would be fielding a junior side in the Calcutta Football League which would be mentored by assistant coach Sankarlal Chakraborty. The club officials also announced that they would not be fielding a side in the exhibition matches of the Calcutta Football League against East Bengal and Mohammedan due to disagreement with the IFA over television broadcast rights sharing and match-day ticket distribution.[22]

Mohun Bagan confirmed the signing of former Salgaocar striker Darryl Duffy on 30 June 2016, striking a 1-year deal with the Scottish forward.[23]

July

Mohun Bagan started their training for the season on 6 July 2016 under the guidance of assistant coach Sankarlal Chakraborty.[24]

On 18 July 2016, Bagan's new striker, Darryl Duffy arrived in Kolkata and joined practice the following day.[25] Mohun Bagan played their first practice match of the season against Peerless on 19 July 2016, where they went down 2–0 against their opponents.[26]

On 22 July 2016, the Mariners played their second practice match of the season against a weak CFC and demolished their opponents 8–0. Star striker Darryl Duffy scored a brace and also found the back of the net for the first time in Green and Maroon colours, while other scorers included the lights of Kean Lewis, Tapan Maity (brace), Pankaj Moula, Babul Biswas, Ajay Singh.[27]

Mohun Bagan played their 3rd practice match of the season on 27 July 2016, against Kalyani XI, at their home ground. The Mariners won 2–0 courtesy goals from Darryl Duffy and new recruit Simranjit Singh.[28]

August

Mohun Bagan played their 4th and final practice match of the season on 2 August 2016, against premier division side Railway F.C. Darryl Duffy and Raju Gaikwad scored to give the Mariners a comfortable 2–0 victory.[29]

On 4 August 2016, Mohun Bagan announced the signing of their second foreign recruit, English defender Danny Seaborne.[30]

Matches

Competitions

Calcutta Football League

See main article: 2016–17 Calcutta Premier Division.

Overview

August

Mohun Bagan played their first match of the season in the Calcutta Football League tie against Aryan. The Mariners got off to a brilliant start in the season as they demolished their opponents 5–1, courtesy a hat-trick from Darryl Duffy and goals each from Prabir Das and Azharuddin Mallick.

On 9 August 2016, Mohun Bagan announced the signing of midfielder Thangjam Singh from ISL team Mumbai City FC.[31]

Mohun Bagan continued their winning run in the Calcutta football league, when they demolished George Telegraph 4–0 in their 2nd game of the season. Prabir Das was the star performer of the match scoring 2 goals while Darryl Duffy and Thangjam Singh scored the other two goals.

On 14 August 2016, the Mariners won their third consecutive match of the season propelling them to the top of the Calcutta football league standings. Bagan defeated Southern Samity courtesy the solo goal of new recruit Ajay Singh. On 16 August 2016, Mohun Bagan announced the signing of Haroon Fakruddin in place of English defender Danny Seaborne who left the club on basis of a mutual understanding.[32]

On 17 August 2016, Mohun Bagan announced the signing of their third foreigner for the Calcutta football league as they finalised a deal with Nigerian striker Daniel Bedemi.[33]

Mohun Bagan won their 4th consecutive match of the season on 18 August 2016, when they defeated Bhawanipore 1–0, courtesy a brilliant goal from Thangjam Singh.

The Mariners dropped their first points of the season, when they were held to a goalless draw by Peerless on 22 August 2016 in their 5th match of the season. This draw put them in 2nd position, 2 points behind arch rivals East Bengal.

Mohun Bagan were level 1–2 against Tollygunge Agragami before the match got abandoned in the 93rd minute due to crowd trouble. Mohun Bagan were denied 3 apparently legitimate goals by the assistant referee due to offside. The decisive finish by Azharuddin Mallick in the 93rd minute was ruled out due to offside by the assistant referee. This goal could have given Mohun Bagan a 2–1 lead and a possible 3 points from the match. This decision by the referee sparked controversy and a packed gallery at the Mohun Bagan ground erupted into protest. Despite much effort by the club officials and police force thereof, the match could not be restarted and was declared abandoned.[34]

On 31 August 2016, the Indian Football Association announced a replay of the abandoned Mohun Bagan and Tollygunge Agragami match, but kept the decisions on the date, time and venue of the match as pending.[35]

September

On 2 September 2016, Mohun Bagan finally returned to winning ways, when they defeated United 3–1 courtesy a brace from Daniel Bedemi and a solitary goal from Darryl Duffy.

On 7 Sepeteber 2016, Mohun Bagan refused to take the field in the scheduled Kolkata Derby and gave arch-rivals East Bengal a walkover, citing lack of opportunities of pre-match practice at the Kalyani Stadium. Mohun Bagan had requested the IFA to postpone the match by at least one day. The association however did not heed to this request and hence Bagan did not field a team in the match.[36]

On 10 September 2016, Mohun Bagan came up with a brilliant performance against a depleted Army XI side, where they defeated the army men by 6–0. Daniel Bedemi stood out, scoring 4 of the goals by himself, while Darryl Duffy and Azharuddin Mallick added to Bagan's tally.

Mohun Bagan lost their first match of the season against Tollygunge Agragami on 15 September 2016. The Mariners failed to equalize after a 32nd minute Joel Sunday strike, as they went down 0–2 to the minnows.

On 18 September 2016, Mohun Bagan lost their final match of the league by 1–5 against city rivals Mohammedan. This loss meant that the Green and Maroon Brigade slipped to 3rd position in the league, while Mohammedan finished runners-up after eight long years.[37]

Om 20 September 2016, along expected lines, the IFA announced East Bengal the winners of the abandoned derby with a score of 3–0 in their favour. The association also announced further actions against Mohun Bagan stating that it would decide after the conclusion of the league, whether to deduct another 2 points from Mohun Bagan's tally for not informing of not playing the derby. The parent body also issued show-causes to two Mohun Bagan officials for derogatory remarks against the association.[38]

Table

I-League

See main article: 2016–17 I-League.

Season overview

January

Mohun Bagan started off their I-League campaign on 8 January 2017 with a hard fought 1–0 win against a weak Churchill Brothers side. Balwant Singh was the lone scorer for the Mariners. Mohun Bagan continued their winning run into the 2nd match of the league, when they defeated Shillong Lajong 2–0 at home, owing to a brace from Scottish striker Darryl Duffy. The Mariners bulldozed league newcomers Minerva Punjab by a 4–0 margin, as star player, Sony Norde made his first appearance of the season. Darryl Duffy and Jeje Lalpekhlua netted in a brace each in Bagan's thumping victory over the Punjab-based side. Mohun Bagan continued their winning run in the season for the 4th consecutive match when they edged past newcomers Chennai City 2–1 in an away encounter with goals from Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sony Norde. Mohun Bagan played out their first draw against DSK Shivajians in the 5th round of the league, with the scoreline remaining at 0–0 post 90 minutes, owing to a lackluster performance from the Green and Maroon strike force.

Mohun Bagan returned to winning ways as they got their AFC Cup campaign running with a 2–1 away victory over Sri Lankan side Colombo, with Kean Lewis and Sehnaj Singh finding the back of the net for the Mariners.

February

The Mariners returned to winning ways in the I-League as they managed a hard fought 3–2 win against Aizawl at home. Darryl Duffy scored the fastest goal of the league, putting the Mariners in the lead just 70 minutes into the match. He later scored the 3rd for the team and his second of the night as he converted from the spot. Jeje Lalpekhlua scored the second goal for the Mariners aiding the victory.

Mohun Bagan continued their winning run in the AFC Cup as they defeated Colombo 2–1 in the home leg encounter at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium. Sony Norde scored his first goal of the competition and then went onto assist Darryl Duffy for the latter's first goal of the tournament. In the late stages of the match, Colombo pulled one back, but it was too little too late, and Mohun Bagan progressed to the next round 4–2 on aggregate.

Mohun Bagan were up against arch rivals East Bengal in the 8th round of the league on 12 February. In a match marred by ultra-defensive play on both sides the Mariners shared points with their bitter rivals as the scoreline read 0–0. In the next match, the Mariners were held to a goalless draw at the Cooperage Football Stadium in an away encounter against Mumbai. Mohun Bagan finally returned to winning ways in their next match at home against DSK Shivajians when they defeated the latter 3–1 courtesy a brace from Balwant Singh, while Katsumi Yusa netted his first of the season from the spot.

The Mariners returned to the AFC Cup campaign with a 1–1 draw in an away encounter against Club Valencia. Darryl Duffy put the Green and Maroon brigade ahead in the 6th minute, while Club Valencia restored parity through a spot-kick in the 71st minute. In the return leg encounter Mohun Bagan thrashed Club Valencia 4–1, to go through to the group stage on a 5–2 aggregate. Jeje Lalpekhlua found his scoring boots as he netted in a brace, while Sony Norde scored one of the other goals.

March

The Mariners fell to their first defeat of the season when they lost 2–1 to Churchill Brothers in an away encounter. Prabir Das gave the Green and Maroon brigade the lead, only to be nullified twice in the second half. Mohun Bagan failed to return to winning ways in their home encounter against Mumbai where they played out a 2–2 draw courtesy goals from Pritam Kotal and Balwant Singh. The Mariners were up against Bengaluru FC in an I-League away encounter next, where they played out a respectable goalless draw after being brought down to 10 men, courtesy a double yellow card to Subhasish Bose.

They were up against the same opponents in the group stage encounter of the AFC Cup 3 days later at the same venue. This time around, Mohun Bagan went down 2–1 to their opponents even after taking a 1st half lead, courtesy a spot kick strike from skipper Katsumi Yusa.

April

The Green and Maroon brigade came out recharged after the international break, as they drubbed Bengaluru FC 3–0 at home, to come back strongly in the title race. The skipper Katsumi Yusa scored a brace, while the other goal was scored by Darryl Duffy.

Mohun Bagan took their winning ways into the AFC Cup group stage where they sailed past Bangladeshi club Dhaka Abahani 3–1 to register their first win in the group stage. Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh and Sony Norde found the back of the net to give the Mariners a crucial 3 points.

On 9 April 2017, Mohun Bagan were once again up against arch-rivals East Bengal in the I-League. It was the Haitian, Sony Norde who opened the scoring for Bagan in the 36th minute, while 7 minutes later youngstar Azharuddin Mallick came up with a pitch of a strike to make it 2–0 for the Mariners. In the 2nd half, East Bengal made the job even more difficult for themselves as Willis Plaza was given the marching orders by the referee for an off the ball push on Anas Edathodika. In the late stages of injury time East Bengal did manage to pull one goal back, through Rowllin Borges, but it proved too little too late.

Results by round

AFC Cup

See main article: 2017 AFC Cup.

Group stage

Matches

Federation Cup

See main article: 2016–17 Indian Federation Cup.

Group stage

Group B

Final

Squad

Squad No.NameNationalityPositionDate of Birth (Age)
Goalkeepers
1Pawan KumarGK1990 7, df=yes
22Shilton PalGK1987 12, df=yes
24Debjit MajumderGK1988 3, df=yes
42Shibinraj KGK1993 3, df=yes
Defenders
2Sarthak GoluiDF1997 11, df=yes
3Raju GaikwadDF1990 8, df=yes
4Kingshuk DebnathDF1985 5, df=yes
14Eduardo FerreiraDF1983 10, df=yes
17Subhasish BoseDF1995 8, df=yes
20Pritam KotalDF1993 8, df=yes
21Sanjay BalmuchuDF1992 1, df=yes
25Bikramjeet SinghDF1993 5, df=yes
26Shouvik Ghosh
(loaned from North East United)
DF1992 11, df=yes
33Prabir DasDF1993 12, df=yes
45Anas EdathodikaDF1987 2, df=yes
Midfielders
6Bikramjit SinghMF1992 10, df=yes
8Kean LewisMF1992 9, df=yes
10Katsumi Yusa (captain)MF1988 8, df=yes
11Pronay HalderMF1993 2, df=yes
13Sourav DasMF1996 6, df=yes
16Sony NordeMF1989 7, df=yes
23Souvik ChakrabortyMF1991 7, df=yes
27Pintu MahataMF
28Sehnaj SinghMF1993 7, df=yes
29Raynier FernandesMF1996 2, df=yes
30Pankaj MoulaMF1992 12, df=yes
32Robinson SinghMF1997 2, df=yes
Forwards
9Darryl DuffyFW1984 4, df=yes
12Jeje LalpekhluaFW1991 1, df=yes
15Balwant SinghFW1986 12, df=yes
35Azharuddin MallickFW1997 7, df=yes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 25 Mohun Bagan players sign at the IFA office. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 2 August 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919183054/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/25-mohun-bagan-players-sign-at-the-ifa-office-mariners-to-play-practice-mat.
  2. Web site: Shibaji Banerjee's pep talk to New Recruit Shibinraj. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 25 July 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919190745/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/shibaji-banerjees-pep-talk-to-new-recruit-shibinraj-6818.
  3. Web site: Defender Chinta Rao leaves SC Goa, joins Mohun Bagan. thefangarage.com. 20 July 2016.
  4. Web site: Reneira Fernandes to be included in the squad. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 28 July 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919190627/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/reneira-fernandes-to-be-included-in-the-squad-1547.
  5. Web site: Know Your Mariner - Midfielder C. L. Ruata. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 24 July 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919190622/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/know-your-mariner-midfielder-c.-l.-ruata-2531.
  6. Web site: Know Your Mariner - Simranjeet Singh. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 25 July 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919190630/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/know-your-mariner-simranjeet-singh-6512.
  7. Web site: Mohun Bagan AC - Mariners look to reclaim their lost crown. goal.com. 7 January 2017.
  8. Web site: Mohun Bagan sign Eduardo Ferreira, Anas Edathodika; to start practice from 26th December. goal.com. 25 December 2016.
  9. Web site: Anwar Ali and Sehnaj Singh join East Bengal and Mohun Bagan respectively. goal.com. 30 December 2016.
  10. Web site: Calcutta Football League 2016 starts on Wednesday: Players to look out for. goal.com. 27 July 2016.
  11. Web site: Daniel Seaborne stalls Mariners move for Superleague Greece chance. mohunbaganac.com. 16 August 2016.
  12. Web site: Shylo Malsawmtluanga joins second division side Bhawanipore after twelve years in top level football. 6 July 2016. goal.com.
  13. Web site: Cornell Glen joins Bengaluru's Ozone FC. goal.com. 22 August 2016.
  14. Web site: Player Profile – Arnab Das Sharma. goal.com. 6 February 2017.
  15. Web site: Minerva Punjab FC sign Chennaiyin FC trio of Anirudh Thapa, Uttam Rai and Baoringdao Bodo. goal.com. 28 December 2016.
  16. Web site: Steven Dias to lead Mumbai Football Club in I-League. sportstarlive.com. 7 January 2017.
  17. Web site: Player Profile – Haroon Fakruddin. goal.com. 6 February 2017.
  18. Web site: Player Profile – Abhishek Das. goal.com. 6 February 2017.
  19. Web site: Keenan named captain of Churchill Brothers SC. navhindtimes.com. 7 January 2017.
  20. Web site: Bengaluru sign midfielder Lenny Rodrigues. espn.in. 28 December 2016.
  21. Web site: Player Profile – Simranjit Singh. goal.com. 6 February 2017.
  22. Web site: Sen to not lead Bagan in CFL. goal.com. 18 June 2016.
  23. Web site: Darryl Duffy signs 1 year deal with Bagan. dead. 30 June 2016. mohunbaganac.com. 10 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160710233239/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/darryl-duffy-signs-1-year-deal-with-mohun-bagan-9278.
  24. Web site: Bagan start training for the 2016-17 season. dead. 6 July 2016. mohunbaganac.com. 10 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160710233316/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/mohun-bagan-starts-training-for-the-2016-17-season-7847.
  25. Web site: Darryl Duffy reaches Kolkata to join pre-season Mohun Bagan practice. thefangarage.com. 19 July 2016.
  26. Web site: East Bengal win practice match, Mohun Bagan lose. goal.com. 19 July 2016.
  27. Web site: Mohun Bagan gets a big win in practice match. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 23 July 2016. 12 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160812114610/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/mohun-bagan-gets-a-big-win-in-practice-match-1656.
  28. Web site: Mohun Bagan wins their 3rd practice match. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 28 July 2016. 12 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160812132116/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/mohun-bagan-wins-their-3rd-practice-match-6808.
  29. Web site: Darryl Duffy scores yet again in practice match. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 2 August 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919190608/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/darryl-duffy-scores-yet-again-in-practice-match-2416.
  30. Web site: Daniel Anthony Seaborne to reach Kolkata on 5th August. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 4 August 2016. 7 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160807025355/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/daniel-anthony-seaborne-to-reach-kolkata-tomorrow-8313.
  31. Web site: Thangjam Saran Singh signs in favour of Mohun Bagan. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 9 August 2016. 12 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160812091255/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/thangjam-saran-singh-signs-in-favour-of-mohun-bagan-8376.
  32. Web site: Mohun Bagan ropes in Haroon Amiri for Calcutta Football League 2016. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 16 August 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919214702/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/mohun-bagan-ropes-in-haroon-amiri-for-calcutta-football-league-2016-5153.
  33. Web site: Mohun Bagan ropes in Daniel Bidemi. dead. mohunbaganac.com. 17 August 2016. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919221022/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/news-detail/mohun-bagan-ropes-in-daniel-bidemi-1673.
  34. Web site: Bagan withdrew team from CFL raising question marks over refereeing in Tolly match. 29 August 2016. xtratime.in.
  35. Web site: IFA approve replay for the Mariner's tainted match against Tollygunge Agragami. 2 September 2016. goal.com.
  36. Web site: East Bengal champs in waiting after Bagan’s derby no-show in Kolkata league. hindustantimes.com. 10 September 2016.
  37. Web site: Club management felicitates Mohammedan sporting team for becoming cfl runners. 23 September 2016. arunfoot.com.
  38. Web site: IFA show causes Mohun Bagan Officials. 23 September 2016. xtratime.in.