Chattogram – A late strike from forward Somxay Keohanam helped 10-man Young Elephants Football Club of Laos to bag a win over Mohun Bagan Athletic Club of India in their first match of the 3rd edition Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football Tournament at the floodlit MA Aziz Stadium here on Sunday.
Forward Somxay Keohanam scored twice for Young Elephants FC while Julen Colinas Olaizola scored one for Mohun Bagan AC.
In the day’s match, both sides made some eye-catching attempts through their attacking football from the very beginning.
Young Elephants FC could open their account in the 16th minute but midfielder Bounphachan Bounkong missed a close chance.
In the 18th minute, Spanish winger Julen Colinas Olaizola didn’t miss the chance to open the account for Mohun Bagan Athletic Club with a header after a goalmouth melee. After conceding a shocking goal, the Laotian club came alive and started to put pressure on Mohun Bagan defence.
On the other hand, Mohun Bagan produced some close attempts from their counter-attacks.
The Indian club failed to utilize a close chance to widen the margin while Young Elephants goalkeeper Xaysavath Souvanhnasok saved a header from Mohun Bagan forward Salvador Perez, off a long-range shot by Joseba Beitia.
Young Elephants FC finally equalized the margin in the 43rd minute while forward Somxay Keohanam sent the ball in net from a close range shot utilizing a pass from midfielder Chanthachone Thinolath (1-1).
In the 49th minute, Young Elephants goalkeeper Xaysavath saved another close-range header from Mohun Bagan forward Julen Colinas, off a corner Joseba Beitia.
However, Mohun Bagan got could widen their margin in the 88th minute while they were rewarded by a penalty, but Joseba Beitia failed to convert the goal correctly.
Vanna Bounlovongsa, who got the first yellow card during the first half, was sent off due to his unethical tackle.
Just after one minute, forward Somxay Keohanam scored the match winner in the 89th minute from a pass by Chanthachone Thinolath (1-2).
Young Elephants FC: Kittisak Phomvongsa (Sonevilay Sihavong-81st), Chitpasong Latthachack (Kiengthavesak Xayxanapanya-56th), Somxay Keohanam, Bounphachan Bounkong, Kaharn Phetsivilay, Xaysavath Souvanhnasok, Aphixay Thanakhanty, Chanthachone Thinolath, Somlith Sengvanny, Vanna Bounlovongsa, Phimmasone. Gleuang Keophouvong-85th).
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club: Gurjinder Kumar, Salvador Perez, Arijit Bagui, Joseba Beitia, Nongdamba Naorem, Julen Colinas, Debjit Majumder, Sekh Safil, Bikramjeet Singh, Daneil Cyrus, Francisco Javier (Suhair VP-61st).UNB
