CALCUTTA (India): Defending champions Chennai City FC held Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw in the I-League at Kalyani Stadium here on Thursday.
Senegalese striker Babacar Diawara put the host ahead at the final minute of the first half but the visitors equalised through their Japan international Katsumi Yusa.
Chennai City, which had narrowly lost its first leg outing 2-3 against the same side at home in Coimbatore, were a improved lot.
The draw, which came after seven successive wins, proved to be a minor dent in Mohun Bagan’s march to the title.
Bagan now have 36 points from 15 matches and are 13 points ahead of Punjab FC (23 points).
Making its intentions clear from the beginning, Chennai City went for the kill and successfully subdued the host’s attacking plans.
Diawara put the finishing touch on an assist from Nongdamba Naorem, who was set free to create the chance after the Chennai City defender Rohit Mirza failed to clear a long-floater from Francisco Morante.
The visitor could have easily found the lead early in the opening session as Katsumi ran amok in the Bagan defence and opened up three clear chances in the first 30 minutes. But the chances went waste as Spanish striker Adolfo Miranda and Jockson Dhas failed to convert.
Katsumi was rewarded for his hard work as the visitor continued to press for the goal after the break.
In the 67th minute, the Japanese play-maker was set-up with a nice cross by Jockson and the former jabbed home a grounder to bring up the equaliser. (Source: AIFF)
