Well, this is not about the match, not about the tactics or gameplay, this is about the raw emotion of 61,777 Mariners who were cheering for the team throughout the game and those millions who watched the match on their TV screen. This just had to happen, the result was decided long before the starting of the match. Not a single fans are in a doubt and they have already planned their celebration before even entering the stadium. The sea of Green and maroon colour took control over the bypass even before two hours of the game. Fans who have not attended the Kolkata Derby came to witness the history. The history on the card and the Mariners delivered. This was the reason why Mohun Bagan has the best fans of the country.
Mumbai had started the match with 2 points advantage over Mohun Bagan and their approach was straight forward. Sustain the pressure and hit them on the counter. They were slowing the tempo of the game from the very first minute. They have never played under such huge crowd with such hostile atmosphere and they need some time to adjust but they have been rattled by one Manvir Singh run inside the box sarpassed Akash Mishra on 2nd minute but his cross was cleared by Rahul Bheke. Then on the 20th minute a pin point cross from Anirudh Thapa was headed down by Liston but his effort denied by the woodwork. Mumbai also tried to put pressure on Mohun Bagan defense especially by Lallianzuala Chhangte but Mohun Bagan tactically covering the wings with double block. So, it was difficult for Mumbai to stretch the defense through wings.
Mohun Bagan broke the deadlock on 28th minute when Dimi Petratos received the ball on the edge of the box and switch the game to the left and found Liston Colaco free. It was a trademark Liston to outsmart Mehtab by doing inside cut and then go outside and shoot from top of the box. The swerving indeeper was went passed Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa into the net (1-0). The stadium was irrupted like a giant volcano after the goal and fans went crazy. That goal changed the course of the match completely. Mumbai who were happy to sit deep and spoil the tempo of the game are now in alarming mode as they have gone behind not only in the game but in points table too. Their best chance came on 44th minute when Chhagte switched position with Perera Diaz and move inside the box. Perer Diaz went right hand side of the box and delivered a pin point cross but surprisingly Chhangte misses the chance from the 6 yards of the goal. Before that Mumbai took 2 long rangers from distance but Vishal was not ready to give any chance to them and saved it quite comfortably.
In the second half Mumbai could have equalized on very first minute but Bipin shots was denied by Hector Yuste who is unarguably one of the best performing defender of this season’s ISL. Mumbai put more and more pressure on Mohun Bagan defense and they were threatening from the right hand side of the pitch. By realising that Habas took Abhishek Suryavanshi off and put Dipak Tangri on the pitch. Then on the 62nd minute they replace Sadiku with Jason Cummings and Kauko with Brandon Hamil. Those were the much needed replacement under the hot and humid condition. By inclusion of Jason Cummings, it was obvious that Mohun Bagan would ready to defend with all their defensive players on the pitch and ready to made quick counter with Dimi and Cummings upfront. Eventually their gamble paid off on 80th minute when Petratos received a clearance on the middle of the pitch he had two options one he could passed it to Liston who was running upfront with blistering pace and Jason Cummings who were free on the right hand side. Petratos chose the best option and delivered a beautiful diagonal 30 yard pass for Cummings. He then went passed Krouma with a brilliant step over and took a sudden strike at goal with his right foot (2-0). Mumbai defense which include their goalkeeper Lachenpa were stunned by the incident. The gallery started the celebration with drums, Crackers and colours after this goal. But the match was still long way to be called over. Mohun Bagan players also seemed little bit relaxed and they have been shaken by Mumbai City FC on 89th minute when a decent corner was guided by Apuia towards unmarked Chhangte. His low grounder was went under the legs of Manvir and Subhasish and beat Vishal to reduce the lead by 2-1.
After that goal, Mumbai looked rejuvenated but it was too little too late. Even after the marching order of Brendan Hamil with a second yellow card for a silly off the ball incident. Mohun Bagan played the last 10 minute with 10 men on the pitch. But their sheer determination and the loud presence of the fans eventually earn them the silverware.
Mohun Bagan was the first team to won the National League from Kolkata, they were the first team to win I-league and now became the maiden ISL Champion from Kolkata. The green and maroon supremacy continues. The fans went mad after the match and the celebration continued till the late night. Players were also very excited after the match. But the team is still focus even after the completion of the desired mission. Their next target is to win the Semifinal and final to lift the ISL Cup as well and the players already expressed that feeling.
On behalf of every Mohun Bagan fans we dedicate this glory to one man and one man only the Señor Antonio Lopez Habas, without him we were not even achieve the half of what we achieved. When he took charge of the helm the team was struggling and low in confidence. The master tactician our very own DADU then arrived and made is target clear. Also the inclusion of Finnish hunk Joni Kauko help the team to grow in confidence. When the team is low you always need a strong character in dressing room and this Habas and Kauko combination done the trick for Mohun Bagan. Also talisman Dimitrios Petratos regained his confidence and found his brilliant goal scoring ability. It was a complete team effort to relieve the history on Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan. With this win Mohun Bagan became the highest point getter in ISL history. This is their record 6th National League title which no team ever achieved. They will qualify to participate in prestigious AFC Champions League 2 group stage and will play a much higher ranked team at the Asian Level. But now is not the time to think anything further. This is the time for Mariners to enjoy the moment of glory and history made in Kolkata.
Starting XI:
Vishal(GK), Héctor, Subhasish(c), Anwar, Kauko, Abhisek, Liston, Manvir, Thapa, Dimitri, Sadiku.
