Kolkata: The return of Joni Kauko seems to have brought a new spring in Mohun Bagan SG’s step.
Three days ago, Kauko — who joined the team at Hugo Boumous’s expense — played a key role in helping his team hand FC Goa their first home loss this season. And on Saturday, the former Finland international was at his imperious best, inspiring Habas’s team from a goal-down to overcome NorthEast United FC 4-2 at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The win — their third in a row — took Mohun Bagan to second place on the ISL standings with 29 points from 15 matches, just a couple of points behind current leaders Odisha FC, who have played a game more. NorthEast United — who came into the game having beaten East Bengal 3-2 — stayed seventh with 16 points after seeing their five-match unbeaten run come to an end.
After going down to Tomi Juric’s early penalty, Mohun Bagan completed their job with goals from Liston Colaco (45+1), Jason CUmmings (45+4), Dimitri Petratos (53) and Sahal Abdul Samad (57).
Juric briefly kept the visiting team in the fray with his second goal in the 50th minute, but Petratos and Sahal struck in a span of four minutes to take the wind out of NorthEast United's sails.
Kauko didn’t score but he was involved in three goals in a performance showing the vast repertoire of his genius. His pass leading to Sahal’s goal was pure magic.
As Bagan launched a counter-offensive, Kauko got hold of the ball near the opponents’ halfline. As NEUFC players tried to zero in on him, the Finn released Sahal with a brilliant through ball with the outside of his boot in such a way that left the rival backline scampering for an answer to deal with this piece of ingenuity. Sahal stormed the box unchallenged from the left side and had no difficulty in beating keeper Mirshad K.
That goal came as the proverbial final nail in the visitors’ coffin. Until then, Juan Pedro’s team looked up to the challenge in matching the home team move by move.