Indian super league
Kolkata, Feb 1: Mohun Bagan Super Giant delivered a dominant 4-0 victory over city rivals Mohammedan SC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krinangan in Kolkata, further extending their lead atop the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 table.
With braces from Subhasish Bose and Manvir Singh, the Mariners now sit 10 points clear with 43 points, while second-placed FC Goa trails with 33 points. This also marked Vishal Kaith’s 50th ISL clean sheet, a historic milestone.
The Mariners’ high-octane start saw them strike in the 12th minute, with Subhasish scoring from a rebound following a corner. Manvir doubled the lead in the 20th minute, heading in a fine delivery from Jason Cummings.
With relentless pressure, Mohun Bagan found their third in the 43rd minute, with Subhasish again finishing off a Cummings free-kick. Mohammedan SC’s frustration led to a red card for Mirjalol Kasimov just before halftime. The second half saw Manvir score his second goal in the 53rd minute to complete a 4-0 rout.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Punjab FC secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Bengaluru FC to end a seven-game winless streak. Bengaluru FC took the lead early in the second half through Edgar Mendez’s deflected shot. However, Punjab FC responded swiftly.
Asmir Suljic converted a penalty in the 55th minute to equalize. Filip Mrzljak’s rebound goal in the 79th minute seemed to give Punjab the advantage, but Bengaluru FC’s Rahul Bheke equalized in injury time. With seconds left, Luka Majcen sealed the win for Punjab, scoring from a counter-attack to secure a 3-2 comeback victory.
Both matches showcased the thrilling unpredictability of the Indian Super League. Mohun Bagan SG’s commanding performance solidified their dominance at the top of the table, while Punjab FC’s resilience and late-game heroics offered a testament to their fighting spirit. The Mariners continue their pursuit of the title with a flawless display, while Punjab FC, after a long winless streak, will hope this victory sparks a strong run in the second half of the season. (Agencies)