Defenders show as Islanders came from behind to earn a point in Kolkata. Mohun Bagan v Mumbai City Match Review.

bySayan Ghosh -

 Defenders show as Islanders came from behind to earn a point in Kolkata.

Pic Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media


The ISL season 11 did start with bang, as an end to end action packed match featuring the historical giants Mohun Bagan and recent heavyweights Mumbai City FC ended in a stunning 2-2 draw, with the equalizer coming from a defender in the very last minute of the match.

Mohun Bagan, who were the League Shield winners from the previous season faced the ISL Cup winners at the prestigious VYBK. The inaugural match of this season was repeat of the last season’s shield decider and the ISL Final, where, Mohun Bagan and Mumbai emerged victorious respectively.

Mohun Bagan, who went all the way to the final in the Durand Cup, were the favourites going into the match, but up against them was a resilient Petr Kratky side, who were up for the Challenge. Both team being very much successful in the recent times made the match a entertaining one as 41,002 were in attendance at VYBK on a rainy evening and that too when the city is under turmoil.

Bagan coach Molina, fielded a very different lineup than the one he used to field in the Durand Cup, as he named a back three of Subhasish, Alberto Rodriguez and the youngster Dippendu Biswas, with Abhisek Suryavanshi and Apuia as the pivots over the defense. The flanks were covered by Asish Rai and Liston Colaco on right and left respectively. Dimi Petratos and Greg Stewart as the creative units as the attack was spear headed by Scottish marksman Jason Cummings.

Bagan didn’t started attacking from the get go, rather they focused on getting the players into the match. Whereas Mumbai started to dominate the proceedings from the beginning. Mumbai also scored an early goal, with shot from Jon Toral, being deflected into the net by Bipin singh, but the goal was ruled offside.

Mohun Bagan slowly started go get back into the match with attacks from the flanks. Liston on the left made a brilliant run, running past valpuia to cross the ball into the middle, which was deflected into the net by Tiri, ending up in an own goal. Mohun Bagan leads 1-0.

Pic Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media


After taking the lead, Bagan slowly started to dominate the midfield. Greg stewart and Dimi Petratos began to make passes. Bagan again, started the attacks from the flanks, Rai floated in a good cross in the box, only for Stewart to head it down for Alberto Rodriguez to smash it home.

Bagan went into the half time with a 2-0 lead.

Bagan, though showed a great performance in the first half, began the second half very clumsily. They got caught napping in the midfield and did a mess as Mumbai were pouncing on the loose ball on the midfield.

Alberto Rodriguez was single handedly stopping Mumbai attacks, be it ground or aerial attacks. Mumbai introduced Noufal that changed the complexity of the match. In the 70th minute, Tiri converted a chance in a misunderstanding between the goalkeeper and thee defenders. The Islanders made the scoreline 2-1.

Islanders increased the speed of the match after the goal and send  more players forward to get the equalizer. Thaer krouma, the Syrian defender of Mumbai, get forward and slotted in home a beauty from a cross from Noufal. The Islanders equalized the match.

The full time score ended 2-2.

The match was a exciting one, with both sides giving it their all till the last minute. Alberto Rodriguez proved to be a great signing for Bagan. With this being the first match of the season, there will be many ups and downs, but this side will slowly develop into the more developed side and will win trophies.


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