Super Cup: Maclaren double rescues Mohun Bagan

Margao: Mohun Bagan Super Giant have so much quality that even when they appear far from impressive, they are still good enough to pick up points.If anyone needed proof, it was evident in their Super Cup opener as Jose Molina’s side registered a 2-0 win at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.Jamie Maclaren scored both goals for Bagan, once in either half. The Australian forward’s first had class written all over it, a quality that makes him the best-paid footballer in the country, while the second was an opportunistic strike which helped the Kolkata giants kickstart their campaign on a winning note.The three points now take Bagan to the top of the group, ahead of archrivals East Bengal, who surprisingly dropped points against an all-Indian Dempo SC (2-2), earlier in the day.Chennaiyin, too, fielded an all-Indian squad. The Clifford Miranda-coached side started pre-season less than a fortnight ago, had no foreign players in their lineup, but surprised Bagan with a brave approach in the opening half.The sluggish outfield with heavy rain all through the game made it difficult for the teams to move the ball around. Bagan tried to pass their way up with Apuia and Anirudh Thapa in the middle, only to be met with fierce resistance from Chennaiyin, whose approach was noteworthy.

Pushed back, Bagan tried their luck from distance. Alberto Rodriguez went close with a long-ranger, and then Liston Colaco tried his luck from a freekick.It were Chennaiyin though who came closest to opening their account in the first half an hour. Farukh Choudhary showed good skill to first evade the challenge of Thapa inside the box, then sidestep Subhashish Bose, but his close-range attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.The Bagan goalkeeper proved to be the saviour again in the 36th minute, this time denying Jiteshwor Singh with another good save.A minute later, Bagan had the lead. A long ball from Thapa saw Liston control it well and then backheel it to Maclaren, who finished it like it was expected from a player who has featured in the most recent FIFA World Cup for Australia.Bagan and Maclaren’s second came from another long ball. Subhashish played it on the left for Manvir Singh, who crossed it inside the danger zone as the ball took a slight deflection off Pritam Kotal and fell kindly at the feet of the Australian. Surely, he wouldn’t miss from such distance.The last quarter saw more chances for Bagan but an alert Chennaiyin backline and Mohammad Nawaz's goalkeeping helped nullify the threat. There were also late chances for Jason Cummings and Liston Colaco but lacked the final touch.