I-League 2015-16: Mohun Bagan and East Bengal play out cagey draw in Kolkata derby

Mohun Bagan AC: Debjit (GK); Pritam, Kingshuk, Luciano, Dhana; Sony, Souvik, Pronay, Katsumi; Azhar, Glen

East Bengal FC: TP Rehenesh(GK); Bheke, Arnab, Bello, Saumik; Rafique, Mehtab; Abinash, Dong, Jairu; Ranti

Mohun Bagan made only one change to the line-up they used in the 4-2 win over Salgaocar. Sony Norde, who has missed the opening two games due to international duty, came into the team, replacing Balwant Singh in the attack. Sanjoy Sen opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with Azharuddin Mallick and Cornell Glen starting up front.

East Bengal, on the other hand, made four changes to the line-up used in the goalless draw against Mumbai. Club captain Robert Lalthlamuana was dropped to the bench, with Biswajit Bhattacharya opting for the experience of Saumik Dey at left back. His absence meant Arnab Mondal wore the captain's armband for the first time in the I-League.

Harmanjot Khabra, Sanju Pradhan, and Samad Ali Mallick were also dropped from the team, with Rahul Bheke, Mohammed Rafique and Abhinas Ruidas replacing them. Biswajit Bhattacharya lined up his team in 4-2-3-1 formation, with Do Dong-Hyun playing behind Ranti Martins in the attack.

Mohun Bagan started the match brightly, but despite their early pressure, East Bengal held their fort at the back. The home side was forced to make an early substitution, with Azharuddin picking up a knock. Balwant Singh, who was himself struggling with fitness, replaced him in the 13th minute.

Bikash Jairu continued his good form and was constantly troubling Mohun Bagan right back Pritam Kotal. The defender, who has struggled in the opening two matches so far, found it hard to deal with the trickery and pace of the winger.

Jairu was not only shining in the attack, the 25-year-old was also tracking back to help out Saumik Dey in dealing with the dangerous Yusa Katsumi.

With both the teams playing well within themselves, there were very few clear-cut chances in the first half. East Bengal did not commit too many bodies into the box, which meant Ranti Martins got isolated from the rest of the team. At the other end, Sony Norde was looking far from his best, and Balwant was visibly struggling with his fitness. East Bengal defender Bello Razaq man-marked Cornell Glen out of the match.

The flow of the match was also broken by numerous fouls and rash challenges, mostly by East Bengal duo Mehtab Hossain and Saumik Dey. The referee, however, decided to keep his cards in his pocket.

The best chance of the half arrived at the 45th minute, when Jairu, who switched to the right wing, picked out Do Dong-Hyun's well-timed run into the box with a lovely cross. The South Korean's glancing header went just wide of the far post, with the goalkeeper scrambling across his goal desperately.

With both the teams tied at 0-0 during halftime, there was not much to choose between the two teams.

The second half started on a much brighter note, with both the teams showing more intent in attack. Katsumi created the first chance of the second half in the 50th minute, with a lovely through ball to find Glen in space. The striker, who finally managed to lose his marker, tested Rehenesh in East Bengal goal with a low left-footed drive. The custodian was equal to the task though, and left it out.

At the other end, Hyun also tried his luck, after some good build-up play in the midfield, with a powerful strike, but Debjit Majumder parried it away.

Finally, in the 63rd minute, Ranti Martins broke the deadlock with a delightful goal. Jairu picked out the striker with a lovely ball over the top, and the Ranti, who lost his marker Luciano Sabrosa, volleyed it into the net.

Mohun Bagan did not stay behind for a long time, though, as Glenn equalized for the Mariners with a powerful header in the 76th minute. Sony Norde delivered a deadly ball from a free kick on the left wing, which the striker headed into the bottom corner. East Bengal defender Arnab Mondal has to take the blame for conceding that goal, as he left Glenn unmarked in the box.

Rehenesh made a fine save towards the end of the game, to keep out another header from Glenn, and save a point for the away team. With Mohun Bagan dropping points in this game, it gives Bengaluru FC a good opportunity to go to the top of the table in their next game against Shillong Lajong tomorrow.