Former champion Mohun Bagan returned to winning ways after the disappointment of successive losses when it beat holder Minerva Punjab FC 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday.
The win, its fifth in 12 appearances, kept Mohun Bagan’s title hopes alive as it started afresh under the stewardship of the new coach, Khalid Jamil. Egyptian midfielder Omar Elhussieny found the lead from a first-half penalty before Cameroonian striker Aser Dipanda Dicka fetched the insurance goal midway through the second half.
Struggling in the middle of the current standings with erratic performances, Mohun Bagan’s plight was compounded by a string of poor results at home. The team picked up just five points in its previous five home outings — one win, two draws and as many losses — to fall down the ladder in the standings.
The Bagan attack, which was turning out to be its Achilles heel, came good as Jamil opted for more men in the midfield with a lone striker in Dicka. The coach also made some alterations in the defence and midfield looking to perk up the performance.
Bagan secured the lead around the half-hour mark when Minerva’s central defender Lancine Toure brought down Dicka.
Elhussieny scored from the spot.
The result: Mohun Bagan 2 (Omar Elhussieny 30-pen, Aser Dipanda Dicka 69) bt Minerva Punjab FC 0.