JOIN USChenco stole the limelight with strikes in the 49th and 54th minutes as the country’s premier league-cum-knockout tournament produced an upset on the very first day itself.
Multiple times champions Bagan reduced the margin in the 75th minute through Asim Biswas in the Group A match but could not find the all-important equaliser.
Bagan were unlucky not to have surged into the lead in the first half. Sunil Chhetri was deprived by the upright twice and then Jose Ramirez Barreto’s header hit the crosspiece.
But that was all Bagan could do as their Meghalaya-based opponents were clearly the better side in the second half. Taking advantage of Bagan’s three-man defence, Wahingdoh used the flanks frequently to make raids in their opponents’ citadel. Wahingdoh’s cause was further helped with the sending off of NP Pradeep for a second yellow card.
In Kolkata, an inspired show by 10-man Pune FC helped them beat Dempo SC 2-1.
In a bizarre incident, Pune FC midfielder Lester Fernandez was sent off the field after he was booked for wearing jerseys with two separate numbers on either side of the break. However, Pune dominated proceedings scoring twice inside the first 20 minutes courtesy Mandjou Keita (8th) and Jeje Lalpeklhua (18th).
Dempo pulled one back through Joy Ferrao in the 89th minute.
HASC look for bright start
Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club begin their 2011-12 season with a touch of unfamiliarity about their line-up and the emphasis on youth clearly visible.
HASC, who start their Federation Cup campaign against Pailan Arrows on Sunday, will be without inspirational midfielder Xavier Vijay Kumar, who inked a big-money move to Churchill Brothers, and previous season’s captain J Murali, who signed up for Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan.
“We have lost some big players but we are confident of moving ahead. We have brought in some really good youngsters, especially from JCT,” M Muralidharan, HASC manager, said.
HASC have signed central defenders Sarbajeet Sinh and Chandandeep Singh from JCT while exciting young winger Deepak Prakash is seen as a long-term replacement for Xavier. The Aircraftmen, who will be captained by midfielder James Singh, have also strengthened their forward line by roping in experienced Serbian Aleksandar Sujdovic.
HASC, who will play their matches in Pune, have been placed in a tough group with Arrows, Mumbai FC and I-League champions Salgaocar SC. Only one team from the group will qualify for the semifinals.
“It is a tough group, but we always play well against big teams and we hope to continue that,” Muralidharan said.