Srinagar, Sep 8: Mohun Bagan Club players today displayed quality football skills and trounced the hosts Jammu and Kashmir-XI by four goals to nil in the Goodwill Football Match played at Bakshi Stadium here.
 The visitors enthralled thousands of Valley football lovers with their game. 
 Contrary to the expectations, JK side surprised Mohun Bagan with full on attack from the start. It was JK who dominated the first 15 minutes of the game and should have easily scored twice. They got two close chances to score. However, with the missing of sharp shooter Ishfaq they failed to give the finishing touch.
 After that, it was Mohun Bagan, who started to dictate terms with their top strikers Odafe Onyeka Okolie and Tolgay Ozbey giving anxious moments to JK defence line.
 In the 35th minute of match, Jewel Raja on a pass from Odafe opened the score for the visitors. At half time, the score was 1-0.
 In the second half, Mohun Bagan went on to score three more goals. Tolgy scored second while Manish Bhargav scored the third. The fourth and last goal of the match was scored by skipper Odafe. Mohun Bagan won the match by 4-0.
 Though JK lost the match, fans kept shouting for them till final whistle blew and cheered their every touch and move. For the fans, it was once in a lifetime opportunity to see Mohun Bagan playing against the JK side in Valley.
 Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Sports Minister, RS Chib were the guests on the occasion and gave away trophies to the winners. Among others present were JK Bank Sports Board Chairman and Executive President, Taffazul Hussain, JK Bank Executive President GM Sahibzada and others.
 With the missing of stars like Me’raj-ud-Din Wadoo and striker Ishfaq Ahmad, JK were clearly out of sorts in terms of scoring. While Wadoo played against JK, Ishfaq was not allowed to play for the State.
 From the start of the match everyone was looking at the Rs two crore captain striker of the visiting side. He didn’t disappoint the fans and was lively whenever ball was inside JK penalty area. Not only with his skills, but with his funny, light-hearted actions he made fans and players laugh.
 After the match was over, Mohun Bagan Players quickly went into the dressing room and only their skipper and coach Santosh were available to receive the winning trophy during the presentation ceremony. On being asked as to where were the other players, Odafe said that they were feeling cold due to inclement weather conditions.
 During the presentation ceremony, JK Bank Sports Board Chairman and Executive President, Taffazul Hussain invited Mohun Bagan to play in JK Bank Gold Cup. However, Club secretary expressed its inability due to tight schedule and promised to come to the Valley again for JK Bank event.
 On the occasion organisers also honoured JK bank for their contribution in the development of sports in the State. The award on behalf of JK bank was received by Taffazul Hussain.
 Meanwhile, the second match of the series will be played at G. G. M. Science College Football ground, Jammu on September 11.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 9 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST