Victory for Mohun Bagan
Mohun Bagan won their first ever ISL League Shield on Monday, defeating the two-time Shield winner, Mumbai City FC. The teams had faced off in the prior four seasons, but Mumbai City FC remained undefeated by Mohun Bagan until now.
The match held at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata proved very different from their previous encounters, as Mohun Bagan secured their first much-deserved victory against Mumbai City FC, beating the team by 2-1 goals.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) players Liston Colaco and Jason Cummings scored two goals in the 28th and 80th minutes, respectively. Mumbai City FC player Lallianzuala Chhangte scored one back after converting a free kick taken by Yoell Van Nieff in the 89th minute of the game.
Over 60,000 Mohun Bagan supporters watching the game at Salt Lake Stadium erupted in joy after the final whistle sounded, filling the stadium with electrifying chants of “Mohun Bagan, Mohun Bagan.” Long renowned as one of West Bengal’s leading football clubs, Mohun Bagan’s victory marked a remarkable season and further highlighted the significance of Kolkata Maidan Clubs in the Indian football arena.
Football enthusiasts and experts agree that team coach Antonio Lopez Habas has done a better job leading and training the team than his predecessor Juan Fernando, ever since Fernando was fired earlier this year in January. A veteran in the world of football, Antonio Lopez Habas accustomed the players to much-needed discipline, thereby refining their on-field abilities.
The club chairman, Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, applauded the win, saying, “It’s a historic day; for the first time, Mohun Bagan has won a league trophy. A big thanks to all the fans, players, the coach, and the entire coaching staff. Take this win, enjoy the moment, and prepare for the finals.”.
Mohun Bagan enters the AFC Champions League
The victory on Monday guarantees Mohun Bagan’s spot in the AFC Champions League 2, scheduled for July 31, 2024. Team Coach Antonio Lopez Habas attributes the win to the remarkable gameplay of home players like Subhasish Bose, Dippendu Biswas, Debnath Mondol, and Vishal Kaith among others, who played on par with their foreign counterparts.
The team faced considerable setbacks when Brendan Hamil received a red card after a failed goal attempt, following which the number of players was reduced to 10, with no chance of substitutions. Despite the disadvantage, MBSG faced numerous attacks from Mumbai City FC and prevailed thanks to the exceptional defensive skills of Subhasish Bose.
The goals scored by Liston Colaco and Jason Cummings would not have been possible without the assist of Dimitri Petratos, who set up both goals with hard passes for Mohun Bagan to score, giving the club its first maiden league shield.
Following the win, MBSG takes the lead on ISL scoreboards with 48 points from 22 matches, replacing former ISL champions Mumbai City FC (47) by just one point.
So, what’s next for Mohun Bagan?
The victory on Monday guarantees MBSG’s entry into the ISL semi-finals, which are to be held on April 19. While the teams ranked third to sixth—Odisha, Goa, Chennaiyin, and Kerala Blasters—will face each other in a single-leg playoff to determine the remaining semi-finalists, the final ISL match is scheduled for May 4.
Despite winning the championship last year, the ISL League Shield had been missing from Mohun Bagan’s trophy case until now. The victory becomes etched in history and in the hearts and minds of Green-Maroon Brigade supporters following the spectacular win at Salt Lake Stadium on Monday, especially since the win came in the backdrop of Ajay Devgun’s new movie “Maidaan“, a biopic on India’s first successful domestic football coach, Syed Abdul Rahim.
In addition to MBSG winning the ISL League Shield, Mohammedan Sporting’s win in the I-League, and East Bengal’s lifting of the Super Cup, Kolkata Maidan celebrated a tremendous victory, showcasing their prowess on the national stage.
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