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FORLAN WILL PLAY AGAINST MOHUN BAGAN; MOHUN BAGAN VS PORT TRUST PRACTICE MATCH ENDS IN 1-1 DRAW

Kolkata, 28-Jul, 2010: It is confirmed that Golden Ball winner of World Cup 2010, Diego Forlan of Uruguay will participate in an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan on August 1, as part of a reality show of a private TV channel. Earlier, famous players like Pele, Roger Milla, Oliver Kahn had played against Mohun Bagan. Diego Maradona had also came to Mohun Bagan ground and showed his football skills.

The practice match between Mohun Bagan and Port Trust ended in 1-1 draw today. Gerard did not participate in today's match.

The first XI for today's match comprised of Sangram Mukherjee, Biswajit Saha, Kingshuk Debnath, Rahul Kumar, Sagram Mandi, Dipendu Dowari, Suman Dutta, Manish Maithani, Surabuddin Mollick, Ishfaq Ahmed and Ashim Biswas.

Kingshuk today played in stopper position along with Rahul while Biswajit and Mandi were the two side backs. In midfield, Suman and Manish were in charge of central midfield, while Dipendu and Surabuddin played in left and right half respectively. Captain Ishfaq, who had his first practice session of this season today, played with Ashim in forward.

In first half, Ishfaq made a great run and went past two players by sheer speed but he was fouled just outside the box by the foreign stopper of Port Trust, though referee completely ignored the incident.

Coach Stanley was continously giving instructions from the sideline. "Pass the ball, hold and play", he said, which meant that he wants the players to play lot of passes among themselves while building up the attack, which will ensure that Mohun Bagan will control the midfield.

From a free kick taken by Suman Dutta, Kingshuk's brilliant header just missed the target by a whisker.

After half time, coach brought in Pralay in place of Sangram. Within minutes, Pralay conceded a very soft goal. A cross came from right side, Pralay misjudged the ball and it went to back of the net, deflecting off his hand. This prompted Stanley to make two back to back changes bringing in Karan and Santosh in place of Rahul and Biswajit. Suman went to left back position while Santosh played in central midfield.

Surabuddin missed two very easy scoring chances. Firstly, Ishfaq cut in brilliantly from left side and gave a back pass towards him which he blasted over crossbar from a very close distance. Few minutes later, a cross came from left side by Dipendu, Surabuddin nicely leaped to head the ball, but could not head the ball properly. Other than the two misses, Surabuddin played well, he made quite a few good runs down the right flank and sent in some good crosses towards Ashim and Ishfaq.

Santosh Oraon, Sagram Mandi, Manish Maithani and Ishfaq Ahmed also had a good match for Mohun Bagan.

Mohun Bagan equalized via an own goal by Port Trust defender. Surabuddin took the corner, both Manish and Ishfaq jumped to head the ball, a defender tried to clear the ball and headed the ball in his own goal.

At the fag end of the match, Ishfaq made another fantastic run, this time down the right side. Port's foreign stopper was seen continously pushing him during this run. Ishfaq, however, brilliantly kept his balance, entered the box, but ultimately the ball was cleared for corner by another defender.

Surabuddin was again unlucky when he made a down the middle run, getting a through pass from Manish, but from an 1:1 situation, his shot was saved by Port Trust goalkeeper.

The match ended in 1-1 draw. The Player of Asian Origin in trial, Gerard Ambassa Guy, did not participate in today's match. Coach Stanley said, "We will take the final decision after AIFF meeting which will be held on the 4th of August."

Tomorrow there will be a swimming cum gym session in Lake Country club in the morning while on the 30th, the practice session will be held in the morning in Salt Lake Stadium.