Mariners Lose Points Due to Last Minute Conceded Goal in their Away Match against JFC.
What is more difficult to win, a league title or a cup tournament? While this debate is still on, one cannot argue with the fact that to win a league a team needs to be consistent. To win the league a team needs to play as one, improve after every game, tackle injuries and off field spats to be crowned as champions. And none other than Mohun Bagan knows better, on how to become a champion in Indian Football. Hence it comes with great shock and despair when Bagan's recent results come into the fray. A winless streak of 3 games in a league with 13 games. Points dropped from 3 crucial games against 3 good teams. Bagan's misery was on full display ar the JRD Tata Complex on Saturday.
Mariners, here's how we're lining up against Jamshedpur FC, in our seventh game of the Indian Super League 2025-26 Campaign! #JoyMohunBagan #MBFTMariners pic.twitter.com/JFx2y8J03A
— MBFT (@MBFT89) April 4, 2026
Lobera was desperate to turn the tide and he opted for his trusted Vishal Kaith in goal. Alberto paired with Aldred at the heart of the defense. Subhasis and Abhishek started as the full backs. Thapa and Apuia continued their midfield partnership while Liston and Manvir started on the flanks. Maclaren started up front with Robson who was making his comeback from injury.
To be fair to Bagan, they started well. In typical Lobera fashion the team looked to pass around the ball and control the possession. But Jamshedpur were solid in their defense and gave no loose chances to Bagan. Bagan did everything but find the end product they were looking for! But playing with a high line meant they had the danger of being exposed on the counter. Jamshedpur did try to exploit that weakness with fast wingers behind the defenders but couldn't get the perfect cross in.
It was Liston with a worldie who opened the scoring. 15th minute of the game, Liston received the ball near the edge of the box, pushed it on his right and let it fly! The ball curled around and dipped into the left top corner giving no chance to the keeper, Albino Gomes, to react . Liston, who is typically famous for attempting these ridiculous long rangers, finally found the back of the net. A goal of the season contender to begin the scoring in a crunch game away from home. Bagan were up 1-0 and the away fans rejoiced.
Mohun Bagan kept the pressure up. Maclaren often pressed the backline forcing them to clear the ball. In one such occasion, Liston nutmegged and passed the ball to Robson who sprinted into the box. The Brazilian sent in an amazing pass past the keeper to find Maclaren but the Aussie managed to miss the easiest tap-in into the open net. From kissing distance, his touch led to the ball drifting wide away from the near post. Tekcham Abhishek once made the run in deep from the right flank, playing in combination with Manvir. After dribbling inside the box, he nutmegged Eze with ease and as he was about to shoot, Maclaren arrived in front of him and took the shot on his own. This shot too went off target past the second post. Such mistakes are often too costly and so it was for Mohun Bagan.
Owen Coyle's sides are not known to give up easily. Jamshedpur FC doubled down on their attack. They kept up the ante, with Messi Bouli becoming the focal point of their attack. Nikola looked dangerous and came close to scoring through a long ranger. They double-teamed the wings and while Mohun Bagan did try to extend the lead, they looked toothless going forward. There was no communication whatsoever between the midfield and the forward line. It looked like the team was in a rush to play a flurry of passes before giving the ball away. The scrappy first half came to an end with Bagan leading by a goal.
Leading at the break. 💚♥️
— MBFT (@MBFT89) April 4, 2026
{ Joy MohunBagan, MBFT} pic.twitter.com/ha4xJKdJ7D
The match was far from over, and this was on full display in the second half. Liston had the first chance to increase the lead from an almost similar position but this time couldn't place it properly. Jamie Maclaren came close, yet again via a pass from Liston. Liston looked like a man on a mission, creating and shooting and doing it all. The half was going blow for blow with both sides looking to score. Sanan looked dangerous and came close to scoring and then creating from left wing. His pace and trickery was too much for the Bagan defence to handle.
Later on, the chance to bury the game fell to Dimi. Manvir made a brilliant run and squared off a simple ball for Dimi to tap in. But he hit the ball into defenders and missed an easy chance to score. A few minutes later, the same story was repeated, albeit this time, a long distance shot that missed the target.
Bagan looked to be coasting home with the 3 points, but that's when disaster struck. In the last minute of added time, Messi Bouli got the ball on the right wing and his cross was met by the head of an unmarked golden sub, Ritwik Das, who slotted it towards the 2nd post past Kaith. Questions must be asked, how was the defense this sloppy, especially towards the end of a crucial game? This was an away game and Bagan had just a 1-goal lead. In added time, any coach would defend with all his might to secure the three points. If the plan was to preserve the lead and get the three points, then why was the defense not strengthened by bringing on more defenders as substitutes? A sure three points in an away visit got reduced to sharing the spoils in Jamshedpur.
Pathetic gameplay. Points shared at the Furnace.
— MBFT (@MBFT89) April 4, 2026
{Joy MohunBagan, MBFT} pic.twitter.com/dkVEmHfb7n
Mohun Bagan has dropped points in 3 games in a row. Currently, 2nd with 14 points, the Mariners trail with a gap of 3 points from the top.In all honesty, Change is the need of the hour! The three-peat dream keeps slipping away with every passing game. Mohun Bagan have not helped themselves one bit in the last three games. A team that couldn't stop scoring against weaker teams can't seem to win against the better ones. A month and half lies in front of Sergio Lobera. If he is indeed the man to captain this ship, then the team needs to be his and his only! Serious issues need to be addressed immediately and the team needs to get back to its winning ways. Hope still tinkers like a candle in our hearts. Whether that small flame grows into a wildfire, remains to be seen!
