Feature StoriesIn the second round of matches in both Group A and Group C, it was the underdogs who came to the fore, as the likes of Shillong Lajong and Royal Washingdoh beat Mohun Bagan, and Churchill Brothers respectively. However, in the other games played out, the favourites reigned supreme, as East Bengal secured their first win of the competition with a close-fought 2-1 victory over Pune FC, and Dempo overcame Mohammedan Sporting 3-1.
Shillong Lajong 3 - 1 Mohun Bagan
Shillong Lajong beat a star-studded Mohun Bagan team in Pune to climb to joint-second in Group A, and also relegated the Kolkata team to an early exit from the Federation Cup. Mohun Bagan, who have invested heavily in their squad this year, lost their previous game as well, and despite looking bright in patches, went down to a spirited Lajong side. The best chances of the opening half did fall Mohun Bagan's way, as manager Steve Darby, who left Sunil Chhetri on the bench and picked Jose Barreto and Odafa Okolie over the Indian international, saw his side come close to scoring on multiple occasions. However, they payed the price for their profligacy on the stroke of half-time, as P.L.Lalhimthara chipped the keeper to find the net. Nigerian striker Okolie drew Mohun Bagan level on 58 minutes, controlling a long ball expertly before finding the net with his shot, but Shillong's lead was soon restored through John Menyondar, who took advantage of some slack defending to coolly slot the goal past Shilton Paul. Another bit of calamitous football, this time from goalkeeper Paul himself, allowed Shillong a third, as he tripped over a ball, allowing James Gbilee to slot into an empty net and confirm the victory for the underdogs.
