The midfield duo of Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Jeakson Singh Thounaojam marshalled the game from the centre of the park as the Mariners were left clueless, going into the halftime break.
Surprisingly, Sanjoy Sen did not make any changes at the restart but life was made easier by the mathematical advantage Norton’s side provide them with. Amarjit was booked twice within fifteen minutes and the Manipur-born left Arrows with only ten men in the park.
Nongdamba Naorem too had to be brought off which meant Ninthoinganba Meetei was sent on to widen the play, all with half an hour still to go.
Second half substitute Manandeep Singh, making his Mohun Bagan debut this season, made his way into the books of the referee which was a result of an unnecessary bicycle kick outside the box that hit Asish Rai. The defender needed to be stretchered off the field.
Sanjoy Sen threw all his forwards onto the field, first bringing on Azharuddin Mallick and then later adding Chesterpaul Lyngdoh. The former Minerva Punjab man’s shot was kept out diligently by Dheeraj.
With the Indian Arrows holding on to the draw, they climbed one spot to sixth with seven points from six games as they travel back to New Delhi to host East Bengal on January 2, 2018.
Mohun Bagan, still unbeaten, sulked to their third consecutive draw and moved to the fourth spot on the table with ten points in their kitty. They host Chennai City FC next but it remains to be seen if Sanjoy Sen gets the sack, with just three days to go for the next outing.
