Mohammedan Sporting return to winning ways in CFL

KOLKATA: Israfil Dewan scored 2 as defending champions Mohammedan Sporting SC returned to winning ways, beating Army Red 3-1 in their CFL Premier Division match on Tuesday.
Israfil put the home team 2-0 ahead in the first half and Adison Singh added another after the break as Mohammedan Sporting raced to the 3-0 lead before the hour mark, thus setting up the platform for a commanding win.
Having suffered their first defeat of the season four days ago, Hakim Ssengendo's black-and-white brigade required a response from the players at home. It was however a defensive blunder which allowed Mohammedan Sporting to take the lead in the 38th minute. Israfil slammed home a rebound after the Army red goalkeeper partially managed to block a shot from Lalthankima.
Israfil made it 2-0 on the cusp of halftime, heading home a cross from Suvo Biswas.
After beginning their title defence with a 6-0 demolition of Wari AC, Mohammedan Sporting were held by Kidderpore SC 0-0 and then were stunned 1-2 by Kalighat MS, thus putting their reserve team coach Hakim's job on the line.
After man-of-the-match Israfil - who also scored in the losing cause against Kalighat MS - calmed their nerves on Tuesday, Adison Singh took the contest out of Army Red's reach, scoring the third goal in the 54th minute, taking advantage of another defensive miscommunication.
Although Army Red pulled one back in the 67th minute when Pardeep Kumar converted a penalty, it was too late and too little for them to prevent the home team from having the last laugh.
In Tuesday's other CFL matches, Southern Samity blanked Wari AC 3-0 and United SC defeated Measurers Club 2-0.