After East Bengal, Mohun Bagan too drop point before derby

Kolkata: The Big Two look to be heading for this Sunday's potential title-decider in the season's abridged Indian Super League after failing to produce the right performance for the right game. A day after East Bengal FC appeared to have lost ground in the title race, nearest rivals Mohun Bagan SG failed to make the most of the opportunity and ended up dropping points as well in a goalless stalemate with debutants Inter Kashi at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams are now on 22 points each from 11 matches but the result leaves East Bengal at the perch of the standings with two rounds to go, thanks to their better goal difference. Sergio Lobera's Mohun Bagan were presented with an ideal opportunity to take charge of the title race after East Bengal's 0-0 draw with Punjab FC. Moreover, Inter Kashi came here plagued by a host of problems, including the departure of veteran Spanish coach Antonio Lopez Habas 48 hours before the match. On the match-eve, Lobera warned everyone that a team facing troubles often became possessed with a desire to prove a point, and the defending champions found in Inter Kashi a team full of resilience and determination to match the fancied hosts almost in every step and every move throughout the contest. It all started with Inter Kashi's sumptuous move in the ninth minute when their Spanish forward Alfred Planas left the Bagan backline at sixes and sevens with a swift run down the left and, playing a smart one-two with Lithuanian teammate Nauris Petkevicius, he delivered the ball across the face of the goal. But much to the relief of the home fans, Mohammed Asif with a gaping goal in front of him couldn't place the ball on target. Lobera started with Dimitri Petratos and Jason Cummings and the duo tried to stitch together a few attacking moves but the Kashi defence — brilliantly set up by their interim coach and former India goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal in consultation with the goalkeeping coach Arindam Bhattacharya — was equal to the challenge. Lobera changed his line-up at half-time, introducing Jamie Maclaren and Liston Colaco in place of Cummings and Robinho. Bagan soon came calling with Petratos being unable to find the target after being released by Abhishek Singh. But in general, Bagan's struggle in conjuring a coherent attacking performance continued until the 85th minute when Petratos turned the provider and Maclaren was denied with a nick-of-the-time save from goalkeeper Subham Das. Inter Kashi kept soaking up the pressure with their organization and defensive discipline and even could have punished the hosts with a late charge. But Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith came out of his line to block Rohit Danu's shot for a corner. With 12 points from 11 matches, Inter Kashi left the field with their head held high. For Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, it's now over to the derby to decide the fate of the championship.