In a high-octane clash that had fans at the edge of their seats, Mohun Bagan Super Giant registered their first victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season by defeating NorthEast United 3-2 at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday night. The win not only marked their initial success of the season but also added to the growing number of comeback victories, with this being the fifth such instance by the end of Gameweek 2.
The match began with a flurry of action as both teams displayed exceptional pace and intent. NorthEast United was the first to make a significant mark, disturbing the Mohun Bagan defense almost immediately. Alaeddine Ajaraei unleashed an early warning shot that hit the post following a precise cross from Jithin M.S. on the left wing. This initial scare set the tone for what would be a pulsating encounter.
NorthEast United’s relentless pressure paid off in just the fourth minute. Ajaraei, making up for his earlier miss, delivered a well-measured cross to Mohammed Ali Bemammer. The Moroccan forward hammered home a powerful shot past Vishal Kaith, handing the visitors an early 1-0 lead. This sudden advantage underscored the Highlanders’ aggressive strategy right from the outset.
Despite falling behind, Mohun Bagan remained undeterred and displayed remarkable resilience. In the 10th minute, they found their equalizer through an exquisitely executed set-piece. Dimitrios Petratos delivered a precise ball into the penalty area, where young defender Dippendu Biswas leapt highest to head it into the net. This goal was particularly special for the 21-year-old, marking his first for the senior team.
For the next ten minutes, the Juan Benali-coached NorthEast United team maintained their composure, allowing Mohun Bagan to enjoy a brief spell of possession. However, it wasn’t long before the Highlanders struck again. A swift counter-attack saw Ajaraei and Jithin combine on the left. The 26-year-old Moroccan charged fiercely toward the penalty box before releasing the ball to Ajaraei, who calmly slotted it home.
. This regained the lead for NorthEast United in the 24th minute, making the score 2-1.
The hosts, now trailing once more, significantly ramped up their efforts. They came close to equalizing on two occasions from close range but were unable to convert their chances. Both teams continued to engage in a series of attacking plays, but NorthEast United managed to hold on to their slender lead, going into the half-time break 2-1 up.
The second half commenced on a more cautious note, with both teams appearing wary of making mistakes. Much of the battle unfolded in the midfield as each side tried to wrest control of the game. The tension was palpable, but Mohun Bagan’s persistence eventually paid off. In the 61st minute, Subhasis Bose capitalized on a loose ball inside the box, slamming it home after NorthEast United’s goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh failed to gather a corner kick from Greg Stewart. This brought the score to 2-2, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
Mohun Bagan, buoyed by their second equalizer, continued to apply pressure, keen on securing all three points. Their relentless pursuit of a winning goal bore fruit in the 87th minute. Two substitutes, Sahal Abdul Samad and Jason Cummings, combined brilliantly. Samad delivered a sharp cross into the box, where Cummings met it perfectly to slot the ball past the goalkeeper, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for the hosts.
This match marked Mohun Bagan’s twelfth consecutive game in which they have scored, underscoring their potent attacking prowess. Conversely, NorthEast United’s failure to keep a clean sheet for the first time in three matches will be a point of concern for their manager, Juan Benali.
Looking ahead, Mohun Bagan Super Giant is set to face Bengaluru FC on September 28, a match that will undoubtedly test their newfound momentum. Meanwhile, NorthEast United will be looking to bounce back as they host Kerala Blasters on September 29.
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