Douhou Pierre scored in each half as Salgaocar registered a resounding 4-1 came-from-behind win over Mohun Bagan in the Group B league match of the 36th Hero Federation Cup at the Tilak Stadium, here today.
After Pierre Boya gave Bagan the lead in the 28th minute, Douhou Pierre (35th, 85th), Francis Kasonde(77th) and substiute Clifton (90+2) scored to register the convincing win for the hosts.The win takes Salgacoar FC to six points from three matches and keep the side afloat in the semifinal race. They are now in the second spot, one point behind Bengaluru who have played one match less.While Mohun Bagan, who remained on two points from threee, matches are out of contention for the semifinals. The first half was fought evenly. Knowing very well that a defeat on Sunday would end their chance of making it to the semifinals, Mihun Bagan started offensively and had the ball possession for the first 20 minutes.
Yusa Kastumi took a long ranger and forced keeper Subrata Paul to make a save but defender Austin Fernandes did a blunder as he failed to clear the ball and Pierre Boya was quick to latch on to the opportunity by chipping the ball into the net past rival keeper.Salgaocar regrouped and work hard in search of the equaliser with Douhou Pierre, who was at the centre stage of the attack, finding the equaliser in the 35th minute when he cooly shot the ball into the net after a one-two pass with Saran Singh.The goal galvanised the Goan side who kept on the pressure and nearly took the lead but Darryl Duffy failed to cash on the chance that came his way as both the team were locked 1-1 at half time.
In the second half Salgaocar looked a completely different sideand came all out attacking, forcing Shilton Paul twice to make divingsaves off Douhou and Jairu.Bagan counter attacked and Sony Node nearly scored midway inthe second half but rival keeper Subrata came out in nick of timeand dived at the feet of Node to deny him.