Two ISL seasons in the past, Sunil Chhetri and his males walked off the pitch with faces buried in heartbreak as Mohun Bagan lifted their first-ever ISL trophy. Two years on, on Saturday, historical past repeated itself at Salt Lake Stadium – Chhetri’s Blues have been once more left staring on the ache of defeat, as Bagan accomplished an excellent League double.
The scoreboard learn 2-1. Bengaluru, regardless of combating tooth and nail to defend an early lead, noticed Bagan claw their means again, first to degree, then to rise, and eventually to reign, securing their second ISL title.
However that ultimate rating masked the chaos and rigidity that preceded it. For 70 minutes, the unthinkable loomed, Bengaluru have been 20 minutes away from toppling the title favorites on their house turf. An eerie hush had fallen over Salt Lake because the Mariners, dominant all season, immediately discovered themselves outplayed. Possession stats, passing accuracy, probabilities created, every thing tilted blue.
In a brutal first half, Bengaluru ahead Ryan Williams ended the half with blood trickling down his face, the results of a heavy sort out. It was that sort of evening – tense, bodily, and uncooked.
And simply 4 minutes after the restart, it was Williams once more, forcing an personal aim from Bagan’s rock-solid defender Alberto Rodriguez, whose deflection arced cruelly over Vishal Kaith. A weird blemish in an in any other case spotless report, Rodriguez and Tom Aldred had, till then, racked up a near-mythical 15 clear sheets.
Below siege, Bagan retreated into their shell. Bengaluru poured ahead from all angles. However then got here the shift. A second of tactical brilliance from coach José Francisco Molina, off got here Anirudh Thapa and Liston Colaco, on got here the Malayali duo of Ashique Kuruniyan and Sahal Abdul Samad.
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With recent legs and newfound objective, the Mariners turned the tide. Jamie MacLaren sparked life into the group by forcing a penalty, his deflection of a Cummings cross catching the outstretched arm of Bengaluru’s No. 4. The referee didn’t hesitate. From the spot, Jason Cummings delivered. A agency strike into the underside proper nook, unstoppable even for the towering Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who guessed accurately however couldn’t deny it. Six thumps to the Bagan crest on his chest, Cummings knew they have been again in it.
The impasse dragged into further time. However simply 5 minutes in, MacLaren, cool as ever. threaded a cheeky end by way of Gurpreet’s legs. It was classic poaching, the sort that turns finals. Fireworks erupted as Bagan lastly surged forward.
Determined, Bengaluru threw every thing ahead. Chhetri, main the cost, noticed his final effort, a curling free-kick within the 116th minute, sail over the bar, the ultimate blow in a valiant however shedding battle.
When the ultimate whistle blew, Mohun Bagan stood tall, champions not simply in title however in report. Most clear sheets in a season (16). Most house wins (14). Most factors in an ISL marketing campaign (56). The Salt Lake devoted roared, drenched in pleasure and historical past.
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Timeless as ever, the Mariners have reasserted their place in Indian soccer royalty. Although, reality be instructed, they by no means actually left.
