I-League: 10-men Mohun Bagan pip Churchill Brothers, Chennai City shares spoils with Minerva Punjab

Courtesy: Twitter (@ILeagueOfficial)

New Delhi: Despite losing a man, former champions Mohun Bagan started their 10th I-League campaign with a 1-0 win over Churchill Brothers at Barasat on Sunday. The second day's actions also witnessed Chennai City sharing the spoils with Minerva Punjab, even as Mumbai FC defeated DSK Shivajians by a solitary goal in their respective season openers.

Bengal giants rode on a Balwant Singh first-half strike and held their nerves after being reduced to 10 men. An unmarked Balwant scored in the 28th minute of the match with Pritam Kotal providing the supply from a well measured cross.

Balwant's header was enough for Bagan to win all three points from the match. It was a brilliant effort from Balwant, who returned after being stretchered off in the 17th minute.

The 2015 champions were reduced to 10 man in the 64th minute after a second yellow to Subhasish Bose for his foul on Seriton Fernandes.

Subhasish in the 55th minute for pushing Churchill skipper Keenan Almeida.

The 2013 champions Churchill had their own chances, but failed to capitalise on any of the chances that came their way. Their best chance came in the dying moments of the match when Angelo Colaco's shot hit the crossbar.

In a clash between two newcomers, Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC shared points after a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The match failed to live up the hype with both sides playing an insipid, direction less game. However, the best chance of the game came in the 10th minute when Lalnun Mawia found himself wasting a free header to the disappointment of Minerva supporters.

Minerva dominated the possession but were clearly undone by some good man-marking from Chennai defenders. The visiting team had six attempts on the goal, with two hitting the target, while Chennai helped themselves to five attempts for an equal number of hits of the target.

In the Maharashtra derby, Khangebam Thoi scored the lone goal of the match to give Mumbai FC a hard-fought win over dominant DSK Shivaians Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.

The Manipuri midfielder found the back of the net in the 21st minute after a solo run, and it was enough to settle the match.

Shivaians led by Sanju Pradhan and Spaniard forward Juan Quero tried to break a resolute Mumbai defence but failed to convert any of the chances.

They had 22 attempts on the goal with as many as seven hitting the target.