In a thrilling display of footballing prowess, Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a convincing 3-0 victory against their city rivals, Mohammedan Sporting Club, during Matchweek 4 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. The match, hosted at the famed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on a lively Saturday evening, saw the Mariners clinch a much-needed win to reinstate their dominance ahead of the international break. Capturing the hearts and cheers of the home crowd, Mohun Bagan delivered a stunning performance with goals from Jamie Maclaren, Subhasish Bose, and Greg Stewart in the first half alone.
The opening minutes of the first Kolkata Derby of this ISL season were taut with tension and anticipation. Both teams were keen to establish their authority on the pitch, leading to an intense battle for midfield supremacy. However, it was Mohun Bagan who quickly wrested control, courtesy of their Australian talisman Jamie Maclaren. In the eighth minute, Maclaren capitalized on a well-executed corner, placing a precise header past Mohammedan’s goalkeeper, Padam Chhetri, following a slick assist from Greg Stewart. This early lead set the tone for what was to become a one-sided affair.
Galvanized by the opening goal, head coach Jose Molina’s side demonstrated relentless ambition and drive, continuously pressing Mohammedan Sporting into making mistakes. The Mariners, guided by an incredibly cohesive attacking quartet comprising Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Maclaren, and Stewart, kept up the offensive momentum, seeking to extend their lead. Their efforts bore fruit once more in the 31st minute when Stewart’s expertly delivered freekick found the head of a poised Subhasish Bose in the penalty area. Bose rose to the occasion, confidently dispatching a powerful header into the net, much to the delight of the home supporters.
With Mohammedan on the back foot, Greg Stewart turned from provider to scorer just five minutes later.
. After reclaiming possession in the midfield, the Scottish midfielder embarked on an electrifying run into Mohammedan’s defensive third. Seizing the space afforded to him, Stewart unleashed a ferocious strike into the bottom left corner of the goal—sealing a commanding 3-0 advantage for Mohun Bagan before halftime.
Despite making impactful substitutions at the interval—bringing in players like Cesar Manzoki, Bikash Singh, and Lalrinfela Khiangte—Andrey Chernyshov’s Mohammedan SC struggled to disrupt Mohun Bagan’s rhapsodic rhythm. The second half mirrored much of the first, with the Mariners continuing their aggressive push for additional goals, maintaining high pressure on their beleaguered opponents.
Nevertheless, as minutes ticked by, Mohammedan Sporting gradually registered a more assertive presence on the field, providing glimpses of what they were capable of achieving. Although they managed to tighten up their defense and offer resistance in the latter stages of the game, the baize-black clad team consistently found themselves second-best. Greg Stewart, ever present in the thick of the action, experienced another golden opportunity in the 66th minute but narrowly missed scoring again. Manvir and Liston had their own attempts but failed to convert, leaving the scoreline unchanged till the final whistle.
As the dust settled, a buoyant Mohun Bagan side celebrated a significant victory that places them back on the winning trajectory, to the delight of their fans and management. Looking ahead, they prepare for another monumental clash on October 19, hosting their arch-nemesis, East Bengal, in what promises to be another electrifying derby. Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting will be gearing up for their encounter with Kerala Blasters at home on October 20th, aiming to regroup and recover from this setback.
In the grand tapestry of the ongoing ISL season, this derby will be remembered as a testament to Mohun Bagan’s clinical capabilities, offering a thrilling spectacle of high-octane football that left fans with an indelible experience of the beautiful game in one of its most historic settings.
