Nothing Mini about Bagan's Dominance over Mohammedan | ISL Match review
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Subhashish Bose silences his haters after showing who's the best left back in the country, both in attack and defense (Courtesy: Mohun Bagan SG Media) |
And Saturday was no different. Mohun Bagan came into the game under extreme pressure and scrutiny, not only from the national but international media. Bagan's form has been underwhelming to say the very least, loosing 3-0 in their last game against a resurgent Bengaluru FC.
Bagan were also scheduled to travel to Iran for their game against Tractor FC, but it was eventually cancelled after the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region worsened over the last few days.
🚨TEAM NEWS 🚨
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) October 5, 2024
Jamie Maclaren makes his first start in Green and Maroon! Joy Mohun Bagan! 💚♥️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/OB4rjWSRSK
With the fate of that crucial game against Tractor still in the unknown, Bagan had the crucial and difficult task of keeping all the noise in the background and and get the crucial win in the "mini" derby against Mohammedan.
Mohammedan, who are the new comers this season, have been gradually improving with every game. Fans of all the teams have applauded their style of play, especially their two South American superstars Alexis Gomez and Franca.
Vishal Kaith started in goal. The back four was employed instead of a usual back three, which consisted of Subhasish, Alberto, Aldred and Asish Rai. The midfield was powered by Apuia and Thapa, while Manvir and Liston were tasked with running down the wings. Upfront were Greg Stewart and, making his debut, the Aussie legend, Jamie Maclaren.
First Half: The Grand Expose of Mohammedan
The match was end to end from the get go itself. Initially MSC tried to assert themselves, but Bagan's defense stood strong and helped to set up the counter attacks. Bagan clearly were the more attacking side and looked much threatening with the addition of Jamie Maclaren.
Jamie and Apuia both had their shots saved in the opening 5 minutes of the game. Bagan kept coming closer and closer to opening the scoring, and were rewarded after a few minutes. It was the seventh minute of the game, Liston Colaco swung in a corner which found the head of Greg Stewart.
It's not a head, but a calculator, a super computer which has endless possibilities. Greg being Greg didn't go for goal himself, rather he flicked it on for a certain Aussie legend, the maestro Jamie Maclaren, who guided the ball home from close range.
Jamie Maclaren gets the #Mariners off to a perfect start in the #KolkataDerby!
— Sports18 (@Sports18) October 5, 2024
Watch LIVE action from #MBSGMSC on #JioCinema & #Sports18-3👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/tUvoNlS20Z
A first goal in green and maroon, an excellent assist. The crowd's joy knew no bounds. It rained rather heavily prior to the game, but the Mariners who had turned up to support their heroes were even more extreme and thunderous in their approval of Jamie's first goal for Bagan. Bagan didn't loosen their game one bit after establishing their early dominance. Rather they kept pushing and pushing MSC to a corner.
OFF THE MARK! 🏎️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/SLTCN5mh5J
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) October 5, 2024
Liston and Jamie combined well and produced a couple of great chances. Bagan's midfield, which has been heavily criticised for not standing toe to toe with the opposition, stood up and produced a fine display of control and calmness. Bagan were always in the ascendancy and tried again and again to score their second goal. At the stroke of the half hour mark, their wishes came true.
It was that guy again, Greg Stewart. With the left foot from Hogwarts, he delivered the inch perfect ball into the box from a fair way out. The ball found the head of captain and leader Subhasis Bose who made no mistake in heading the ball home.
Subhasish's celebration was a key response to some people who have been way too critical and at times been abusive towards him and his performance. You can ridicule the man, you can say whatever you like, but he'll never give up. Bagan's own boy, who's now a man, a leader put us 2-0 up in the derby.
A powerful header 💥 and a sublime solo goal 🤌
— Sports18 (@Sports18) October 5, 2024
The #Mariners are putting on a show in the #KolkataDerby!
Watch LIVE action from #MBSGMSC, on #JioCinema & #Sports18-3👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/pWmFWTFGQx
The fans were in seventh heaven, and Bagan didn't look back after this. The first two goals were good, but the third one was magical. At this point, let's just say it was Stewart-esque. Only one player in the ISL can score a goal like that.
He runs with the ball glued to his feet, he get's past defenders like they are not even there, he bewilders and bamboozles anyone who comes in his path, he's a magician from the land of Hogwarts.
Greg Stewart produced magic and hammered the nail in MSC coffin. A sweet finish, he hit the ball almost too carefully so as to not hurt it, yet it found the back of the net. Age is just a number for magicians, and this guy is no different.
He doesn't know how to stop, he will keep going on and on and on. Greg Stewart had arrived last night at the Salt Lake, and Bagan fans can merrily claim him to be their own. 3-0 Bagan within 35 minutes. Dominance established, dominance personified by this great Scottish wizard.
3-0 up in quick time! 💚♥️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/MbY98HVLUH
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) October 5, 2024
You'll be wrong to think Bagan sat back and slowed down the tempo of the game after going 3-0 up. They kept pushing. Jamie came close yet again, and so did Subhasish. But the fourth goal just didn't come. The first half came to an end and Bagan already looked to have won the match.
Second Half: What Could Have Been
The gulf in class was apparent, and the fans were expecting of a similar show in the second half as well. Second half saw a more attacking Manvir Singh. He upped the tempo and tried to create and later score a goal, but failed at both the attempts.
MSC tried to make a comeback, with their forwards and wingers trying to link up. But Bagan's defense stood still. Bagan's midfield was solid and it gave the confidence to those upfront to push MSC more and more.
Making them dance to his tunes 🕺#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/87BD9BpQYl
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) October 5, 2024
Liston had biggest chance to make it 4-0 in the 62nd minute with an open goal in front of him, but his casual shot was blocked by a MSC defender. Greg Stewart again went on one of his magical runs, but this time his final shot was just above the cross bar. Well, even the biggest of the magicians get their act a bit messy at times.
Liston, Manvir, Dimitri Petratos every one tried their best to score, but it just didn't sit right. MSC tried their luck from distance, but they never really troubled Vishal Kaith. The score line didn't change, and with that Bagan earned their first clean sheet of the current ISL season.
JAAN JAAN MOHUN BAGAN! 💚♥️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/adBBXhMwgN
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) October 5, 2024
A great win against a resurgent side will no doubt give much needed confidence to both the players and the management, which will be necessary going forward. The international break kicks in now, which means Bagan's next game in two weeks time is none other than the Kolkata derby.
With all the controversy off the field, all the legal battles going on, the game will be bigger than just a game of football. It will be a clash of egos, a clash to assert dominance.
There is no favorite in a derby, and the players must remember that. One can only hope that the gaffer takes in much needed confidence from this result and the team can build up on this as the season progresses.
STATGAME
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Via Rohit Ghosh |
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