Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated East Bengal 3-1 in the 2023-24 Indian Super League, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
The Mariners started the game with much gusto as in the second minute itself, Hector Hurst hit the crossbar after Dimitri Petratos’ cross from the right was cushioned back by Anwar Ali, only for the move to be called offside.
East Bengal tried to effect the game but it was mostly Mohun Bagan who were in the ascendancy for the opening exchanges.
In the 12th minute though, it was East Bengal who had won a penalty against the run of play. Lalchungnunga’s cross from the right was cleared by Shubhasish Bose but an onrushing Vishal Kaith clattered into Cleiton Silva, felling the East Bengal star. The referee was quick to point to the spot and in the ensuing arguments over its legitimacy, the MBSG keeper and coach Antonio Lopez Habas were booked. Cleiton, after some medical attention, got up and stepped up to take the spot kick. It was straight at Kaith, who confidently parried it away from goal as the Green and Maroon section of the partisan crowd, broke into celebrations.
It was again Mohun Bagan who took control of the ball and hunted in packs to get it back once they lost it.
Come the 27th minute, a wonderfully worked play saw Joni Kauko put Sahal Abdul Samad through but he was thwarted almost at once long for the ball to land at Petratos’ feet. His snap shot was palmed by Prabhsukhan Gill into the path of Jason Cummings’ path, who gleefully obliged.
Mohun Bagan doubled their lead in the 36th minute with a very similar goal to their previous one. Petratos shot at the near post which bounced off the bar and the ball landed back at his feet. His second shot-cum-pass went to an unmarked Liston Colaco, who easily converted.
Petratos finally managed to score himself in added time after 45 as Nandha Kumar tripped Liston inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. The Mohun Bagan forward stepped up and powered it past Prabhsukhan, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the shot.
The stands in the yellow and red section looked deserted with fans opting to head for the exit with the second half yet to play.
After the restart, Mohun Bagan went for the kill early. In the 47th minute, there were calls for another penalty as Cummings was brought down inside the penalty box. The referee waved play on as possession recoiled and found its way to his feet as he gingerly got up. He was naturally left unmarked in the middle but his shot was pushed away by the keeper.
East Bengal managed to get a goal back in the 53rd minute as a searching long ball from Cleiton found a brave run from Saul Crespo, who chested the ball and volleyed it in one swift movement. 1-3 and there was hardly anyone left in the East Bengal stands to celebrate.
In the 63rd minute, Nandha sent in a pinpoint cross that was met by a climbing Cleiton but his powerful header was stopped dead by Kaith. In the 70th minute, an outrageous effort from PV Vishnu sailed just over. East Bengal were growing in confidence.
The spar went on for quite some time but East Bengal could not convert their possession. Habas meanwhile was furious at his players for allowing themselves to come under pressure.
Mohun Bagan held on as East Bengal fizzled out, lulling to a stop in the closing minutes.
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