SPORTS

I-League champions Mohun Bagan return home to grand reception

By Rediff Sports Desk
June 03, 2015

A Mohun Bagan player celebrates with the I-League trophy as the team bus is mobbed by fans in Kolkata on Monday. Photograph: PTI

Kolkata’s premier football club Mohun Bagan was given a rousing welcome when the team returned home with the I-League trophy on Monday.

Mohun Bagan snatched a 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC with a goal in the dying minutes of the second half at the Kanteerva Stadium on Sunday to win their maiden I-League crown.

Fans mob the Mohun Bagan team bus as they greet the players upon the team's arrival in Kolkata. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI

John Johnson scored for the hosts in the 41st minute before Bello Rasaq scored the equaliser in the 86th minute. The draw was enough for Bagan secured the league title.

The Mariners are the first Kolkata outfit to win the I-league in its current format, winning the Indian first division after a gap of 13 years.

It was a sea of maroon and green as Kolkata's football-crazy public turned up to watch the champions parade the trophy on its streets.

A sea of Mohun Bagan fans line the streets of Kolkata as they welcome the victorious team. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI

On Sunday, Club secretary Anjan Mitra said: "I am speechless, I am overwhelmed," reacting to the victory.

"The team is coming to the city tomorrow (Monday). The entire team along with players who could not go would come to the club in the team bus straight from the airport. All the members and supporters will be present at the club to welcome the heroes," he added.

Defending champions Bengaluru FC finished second with 37 points, followed by Royal Wahingdoh FC (30), East Bengal (29), Pune FC (29), Mumbai FC (24), Salgaocar FC (24), Sporting Clube de Goa (23), Shillong Lajong FC (23), Dempo Sports Club (19) and Kalyani Bharat FC (18) in that order.

Rediff Sports Desk

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