Shield comes to Kolkata, again !!
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media |
Its party time in Kolkata with the whole state going in frenzy as the Green and Maroon Brigade secure their 2nd consecutive ISL league title with a thrilling 1-0 win over Sergio Lobera’s Odisha F.C. in front of the home fans on Sunday, 23rd February at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The ‘City of Joy’ tangoes in happiness as their club defends what’s rightfully theirs.
Mariners, here's how we're lining up against Odisha FC, at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata!
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) February 23, 2025
[MBFT] pic.twitter.com/h76l2zTtXX
Mohun Bagan Lineup : Vishal Kaith(Gk),Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose(c), Ashish Rai, Deepak Tangri, Apuia, Greg Stewart, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Jamie Maclaren.
Coach : Jose Francisco Molina
Odisha F.C. Lineup : Amrinder Singh(Gk)(c), Carlos Delgado, Mourtada Fall, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Rahim Ali, Hugo Boumous, Puitea, Thoiba Singh,Rahul KP, Isak, Dorielton Gomes.
Coach : Sergio Lobera
The Juggernauts began the proceedings at the VYBK with their eyes on the top 6 spot while the Mariners were determined to secure their 2nd consecutive ISL shield title on the very same day.
Bagan started pressing from the very beginning in an attempt to put pressure on the visiting side. Manvir put in an early cross in the 3rd minute from the right wing but it was meticulously dealt by the stubborn Odisha defense. He got another chance in the 16th minute when he took a shot from a narrow angle but was saved by Amrinder. Deepak also tried a shot from distance but failed to convert.
Odisha showed some sparkle of life courtesy of the runs from Boumous and Rahul but they were equally matched by a motivated, strong and resolute Bagan defense. Liston tried to create chances from the left flank but the final third play was not up to the mark. Fall was playing a key role in the heart of the Odisha defense, but, there is no match in ISL without a refereeing error.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media |
In the 28th minute, Maclaren was put down by Fall inside the box with an ugly challenge and it was a sure penalty. But the referee didn’t even slow a slightest of interest and ordered play on. The whole stadium was enraged by the decision. Macca got an opportunity almost immediately from a tough angle but was denied by Amrinder.
Bagan got another golden opportunity at the business end of the first half but with a great effort from Stewart from the edge of the box but Amrinder was right up to the task. Thus, the first half ended 0-0.
It's 0-0 at the break!
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) February 23, 2025
A BIG second half awaits!
[MBFT] pic.twitter.com/XjqCxYHTZ6
The Mariners started the proceedings in the 2nd half right from where they left. The hunger for getting the win was clearly seen in their body language. Subhasish in the 54th minute supplied an excellent ball to Manvir but he couldn’t connect with the header.
But the best chance so far came for Manvir in the 60th minute when Greg Stewart supplied a brilliant ball to Manvir but he missed a sitter. Everybody was in disbelief. The best opportunity for the Mariners was blown away by one of their best Indian players.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media. |
Molina made the first change for Bagan in the 77th minute by bringing in Dippendu for Tangri and crowd favourite Dimi for Aldred. The whole stadium went wild when Dimi came on the pitch and boy did he deliver. Just as he came in, he hit a belter but was saved by Amrinder.
He even created a golden opportunity for Macca but he failed to turn it in. But the drama was far from over. Fall, who had been escaping the referee’s eye for the whole match got a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring chance to Maclaren in the 85th minute.
POV: Danda Tudung Tudung Returns to Yuba Bharati Krirangan 💚❤️
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) February 25, 2025
[MBFT] pic.twitter.com/4rTMdwPL1j
Just as the Bagan faithful were losing all their hope of seeing their team confirm the shield retention, the man, the myth, the legend, our hero Dimi stepped up. In the 3rd minute of added time, he scored a great left foot curler from outside the box and secured the match and shield for the Mariners.
The whole stadium erupted in jubilation with the song ‘Amader Surjyo Merun’ on everyone’s lips. It was a very emotional moment for both the fans and Dimi as well, as the cult hero for the Bagan fans was not getting enough match time and often showed dismal performances. But he scored for us when it mattered the most and thus proved that he was, is and always will be the difference maker for the Mariners.
CHAMPIONS OF INDIA 🔥💚❤️
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) February 23, 2025
[MBFT] pic.twitter.com/n7ez88cRjU
As far as the upcoming matches are concerned, the champions will play their last 2 matches against Mumbai and Goa on the 1st and 8th of March. And the playoff stage will follow. Molina’s men would definitely want to be crowned as double champions, something which they narrowly missed last year. But for now, its party time for the players and fans as they celebrate their 2nd consecutive shield win and most importantly, confirmation of their AFC Champions League 2 qualification.
