Jason Cummings’ late goal propelled Mohun Bagan Super Giant to secure a dramatic 3-2 win against NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) in a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Salt Lake Stadium.
With the late goal from Jason Cummings, Mohun Bagan was able to overcome two deficits and get revenge on the Durand Cup winners.
In a thrilling Indian Super League match at Salt Lake Stadium on Monday, Mohun Bagan Super Giant overcame two deficits to defeat NorthEast United FC 3-2 and exact revenge on the Durand Cup champions. Three goals were scored in the first twenty-four minutes of play as both teams exchanged blows, igniting the match. The visitors’ Mohammed Ali Bemammer (5th) and Alaeddine Ajaraie (24th) goals were on target, and in the 10th minute, the gifted Dippendu Biswas tied the score with a looping header, his first ISL goal.
Mohun Bagan erased their terrible memories of the Durand Cup final, in which they let a two-goal lead slip away, with a contentious goal from Subhasish Bose in the 61st minute.
The first win for the League Shield winners from the previous season was then achieved in the 87th minute by second-half substitute Jason Cummings, who scored a vital goal. After two games, Mohun Bagan has four points, while the Guwahati team has three.
The Mariners, who had been under fire following a string of disappointing outcomes, such as a penalty-shootout loss to NorthEast United in the Durand Cup final and frustrating draws against Mumbai City FC and Ravshan FC, needed the win dearly.
Mohun Bagan manager Jose Molina is also relieved after this hard-fought victory, since he was subjected to ‘Go Back’ chanting during their AFC Cup draw here on Wednesday. NorthEast United seized the lead five minutes into the game, setting off an exciting start to the contest.
Moroccan midfielder Bemmamer took advantage of a deft cutback by Ajaraie to unleash a thunderous low strike from outside the box.
Vishal Kaith, the keeper for Mohun Bagan, was unable to stop the shot, giving the visiting team an early lead. After ten minutes, Mohun Bagan promptly replied through Dippendu.
Petratos fired a well-executed free-kick that reached Dippendu’s head. Dippendu looped the ball into the far corner, totally surprising NEUFC goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. The Mariners had returned to parity.
But when the memories of the Durand Cup final began to haunt the supporters once again, NorthEast United struck again in the 24th minute with one of their best counterattacking goals of the season.
Along the right wing, Ajaraie and Jithin worked a magic together, with the latter threading the ball back to Ajaraie inside the box.
The Moroccan striker put the Highlanders back ahead 2-1 with a beautiful shot across the net. Mohun Bagan attempted to equalize again but was unable to penetrate a strong NorthEast defense.
Greg Stewart’s low effort was stopped by captain Miguel Zabaco in the 38th minute, which was a critical play that kept NEUFC ahead going into halftime.
In an effort to provide more creativity and firepower, Mohun Bagan made two replacements in the 59th and 60th minutes of the second half: Sahal Abdul Samad and Jason Cummings.
They had an instant effect as Mohun Bagan increased the pressure.
When Gurmeet mishandled a looping header in the 61st minute, Subhasish Bose took advantage of the situation, sparking uproar. When Subhasish scored from close range, the NEUFC players vehemently objected, saying the goalkeeper had been fouled.
Their appeals were ignored, and the goal remained, leaving the score tied at 2-2. After the contested goal, Bemmamer was given a yellow card for disobedience, adding to the drama.
Mohun Bagan persisted in applying pressure, and Sahal nearly connected on a cross from Cummings, but his header missed the mark.
After Sahal’s exquisite low cross into the box, Mohun Bagan finally broke through. Unmarked, Cummings finished with a first-time finish to round off the Mariners’ incredible comeback.