Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged victorious with a commanding performance, defeating their long-standing rivals East Bengal FC 2-0 in the highly anticipated Kolkata Derby. The match took place at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, as part of Matchweek 5 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on a vibrant Saturday evening. The contest was marked by outstanding strategic plays and was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd of over 60,000 fans, creating an electrifying atmosphere that set the stage for a memorable encounter.
The intensity of the rivalry was palpable from the onset, with both teams vying for dominance in the midfield. Early exchanges demonstrated the determination from both sides to control the pace and dictate play. However, it was Mohun Bagan who eventually seized control, as Jamie Maclaren and Dimitrios Petratos scored crucial goals for the Mariners, leading them to their eighth victory against the Red & Gold Brigade in ISL history.
The match began with the home side, Mohun Bagan, pressing hard. The first real opportunity fell to Jamie Maclaren in the 18th minute when Greg Stewart delivered an exquisite cross into the box, finding Maclaren in a promising position. Yet, Prabhsukhan Gill, East Bengal’s goalkeeper, stood firm, thwarting Maclaren’s attempt with a stunning save at close range. Just a minute later, Mohun Bagan briefly thought they had taken the lead from a corner, but the goal was disallowed after Manvir Singh was flagged offside, much to the relief of the East Bengal supporters.
Despite the early setback, Mohun Bagan maintained their aggressive approach, testing the Red and Gold Brigade’s defenses with relentless attacks. The persistence paid off in the 41st minute when a scintillating cross from Manvir Singh found Maclaren unmarked. The Australian striker made no mistake and slotted the ball past Gill, putting the Mariners ahead as the stadium erupted in celebration.
As the second half commenced, the pattern of play remained unchanged. Mohun Bagan continued to dominate possession and exert pressure on East Bengal’s backline. In the 59th minute, the Mariners came close to doubling their lead when Liston Colaco charged down the right flank on a counter-attack.
. Despite finding himself with few options in the penalty box, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot. However, his effort lacked the precision to trouble Gill, who managed to keep East Bengal within touching distance.
Faced with a mounting challenge, East Bengal’s head coach Oscar Bruzon made tactical substitutions, bringing in key players such as Dimitrios Diamantakos and a host of young talents like Jesin T.K., Lalchungnunga, and Sayan Banerjee to inject fresh energy into a beleaguered squad. Responding to these changes, Mohun Bagan’s manager, Jose Molina, introduced Dimitrios Petratos, a decision that would soon prove fruitful.
Petratos, demonstrating his high football IQ and tenacity, became instrumental late in the game. In the 89th minute, he cleverly earned a penalty after drawing a reckless challenge from Gill inside the box. Showing remarkable composure, Petratos confidently converted the penalty, sealing the victory for Mohun Bagan with a well-placed shot into the net, doubling the Mariners’ advantage and effectively closing out the game.
The victory was a testament to Mohun Bagan’s disciplined strategy and effective execution throughout the match, as they efficiently handled East Bengal’s attempts to equalize. With this result, Mohun Bagan solidified their position in the league standings and maintained their momentum in the competition.
Looking ahead, East Bengal FC will head to Bhubaneswar with hopes of securing their first win of the season against Odisha FC on October 22. Conversely, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will focus on preparing for their next ISL encounter, an away clash against Hyderabad FC scheduled for October 30.
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