FED CUP FINAL BARRETO WINS IT FOR BAGAN Dempo Disappoint in Summit Clash
Kolkata: Jose Ramirez Barreto, the symbol of Mohun Bagan's resolution and resurgence, guided his team to the summit for the umpteenth time. Karim Bencherifa's bruised and battered side defied the odds in stunning fashion, subduing Dempo Sports Club 1-0 to lift the Federation Cup - for the 13th time -at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. Barreto scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute to maintain the green and maroons' Phoenix-like rise from the ashes. Dempo huffed and puffed, leading to key striker Ranty Martins' expulsion card towards the end, and were ultimately out-thought and outsmarted by the more determined and disciplined side. Mohun Bagan were so much in control, so decisive in their attacks, so quick to respond to crisis, that their fans would have started believing that this could be their year. They were the deserving winners of the Federation Cup. Bencherifa ensured his players were in a positive mood by unleashing Ishfaq Ahmed on the left flank and Lalkamal Bhowmick in the middle, with the intent being clearly on inflicting damage to the Dempo defence. Their hunger was palpable as they looked brisk and business-like right from the opening whistle. Barreto was at the heart of Mohun Bagan's domination, knitting together moves, helping Ishfaq create a shooting opportunity and setting him free for another chance. The Brazilian, blessed with immense stamina, roamed all over the park. One such enterprise saw him pounce on poor defending by Creson Antao to give PC Lalampuiya another chance to expose the growing disorder in Armando Colaco's backline. Pushing Dempo back by force of will, Mohun Bagan began the second half in the same tempo. And then came that moment in the 68th minute. Goalkeeper V.P. Sathish Kumar failed to judge Lalkamal's corner as Mohun Bagan right-back Habibur Rahman Mondal backheaded the ball towards the box from the other end. Barreto made his presence felt in front of the goal, pouncing on the opportunity with a clinical finish in a melee. Trust Barreto and his Mohun Bagan to make crisis look such a silly word. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOIGO/2008/12/22&PageLabel=16&EntityId=Ar01600&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
