Mohun Bagan coach Dicka dedicates win to injured Norde

Mohun Bagan's Cameroonian striker Dipanda Dicka on Sunday dedicated their 2-0 derby victory over East Bengal in the I-League to clubmate Sony Norde who is destined to part ways with the Kolkata football giants.

Dicka rode his superb first-half brace to go top of I-League's goalscoring charts. He has accumulated seven goals so far.

Norde has been injured since long and is now on his way out of the club for further treatment. The Haitian star watched the derby from the stands at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan as supporters were seen wearing masks with his face on it.

"I dedicate the win to Sony. He has been a crucial part of the team. The win was very important for us," Dicka told reporters after the game.

Mohun Bagan were all over East Bengal from start to finish in a performance few would have expected ahead of the game.

Asked which of his two goals would he rate as the best, Dicka said the second one -- an acrobatic side-volley in the 35th minute. The first goal came in the first minute.

"This is the best match of my career. The second goal was special and my best," the former Shillong Lajong marksman said.

"We could have won by eight goals. I was hungry to score today. I gelled well with Akram Moghrabi and it went off well. The focus is on winning the I-League," he added.

Dicka, for the record, was the top scorer last season as well.

Coach Shankarlal Chakraborty also dedicated the much-needed triumph to Norde, adding this result keeps them in the hunt for the league title.

"To remain in the championship race, we had to win and we won. I am not thinking about the scoreline, what could have been," the coach said.

Mohun Bagan wasted a hatful of chances with Nikhil Kadam missing three glorious opportunities either side of halftime.

Chakraborty said the team can play without Sony and Sunday's show was a reflection of that.

"We can play without Sony and today's win was a reflection of that. His contribution for Mohun Bagan has been immense. The win is for Sony," he added.

--IANS

dm/pur/bg