On a rainy day in Kolkata, it wasn’t just the downpour but a deluge of goals that stole the spotlight as defending champions Mohun Bagan SG pulled off a dramatic comeback to secure a thrilling victory in arguably the game of the season so far, over a determined Northeast United FC. The Mariners claimed their first win of the season at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, closing out Matchweek 2 of the ISL 2024/25 in style.
Bagan’s head coach, Jose Molina, faced mounting pressure heading into just his second ISL league match, with fans voicing frustration over the team’s performances and results. The Spanish manager had gone five matches without a win in 90 minutes, adding to the scrutiny. In a surprising move, Molina opted for a striker-less starting lineup, leaving Jason Cummings, Jamie Maclaren, and Suhail on the bench. Instead, Dimitri Petratos and Greg Stewart were deployed up front. Additionally, centre-back Alberto Rodriguez missed the game due to an injury sustained during the league opener against Mumbai.
On the other hand, Juan Pedro Benali and Northeast United came into the fixture in high spirits, having recently won the Durand Cup – their first-ever major trophy by defeating Mohun Bagan at the same venue. The Highlanders were brimming with confidence after securing three points in their opening league game last week, beating Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata. Benali stuck with a familiar and expected lineup, featuring the in-form winger Jithin MS, while forwards Ajarie and Guillermo led the attack upfront.
The game started with a bang as Northeast United nearly stunned Mohun Bagan within the first minute, with Ajarie’s shot rattling the post after catching the defence off guard. The Mariners struggled to cope with the Highlanders’ early intensity, and in the 4th minute, Moroccan midfielder Bemammer delivered a thunderous strike from outside the box. His effort beat a stunned Bagan defence and goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who failed to stop the ball as it went past him, giving Northeast an early 1-0 lead.
Just five minutes later, Mohun Bagan struck back against the run of play as they got a long free kick outside the box. Dimitri Petratos delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Bagan’s young sensation Dippendu Biswas rose above two Northeast United defenders to meet the ball. He cushioned a classy header that looped over the keeper and nestled into the top left corner, equalizing the game and sending the home fans into a frenzy.
After the equalizer, Mohun Bagan began to dictate the tempo, controlling possession and probing the Northeast United defense in search of openings. Their dominance forced the Highlanders to sit back and maintain a solid defensive shape. However, in the 24th minute, Northeast capitalized on a turnover in their own half and launched a lightning-fast counter-attack. Ajarie and Jithin MS combined brilliantly, advancing into Bagan’s half in just three touches.
Ajarie then unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner, beating Vishal Kaith and restoring Northeast United’s lead in spectacular fashion. The remainder of the first half was a thrilling contest, with both teams exchanging attacks and creating numerous chances, making it an entertaining spectacle for the viewers. Both goalkeepers were kept busy, with end-to-end action ensuring the game remained intense and unpredictable heading into the break.
In the second half, Molina’s men regained control, relentlessly creating chances while the Highlanders stayed alert for counter-attacking opportunities. Bagan’s midfield and forwards operated with remarkable fluidity, frequently interchanging positions during possession and attack, making it tough for Northeast’s defence to contain them. Petratos, Stewart, and Liston combined to produce some dazzling moves, but the final pass consistently eluded them. Liston, in particular, was a constant menace on the left, repeatedly beating Northeast right-back Dinesh with his pace and skill. However, his inability to deliver the decisive ball or finish off chances began to frustrate the Bagan supporters.
Bagan finally got their reward around the hour mark. Greg Stewart delivered an accurate left-footed cross from the right wing, finding Tom Aldred, who headed the ball towards goal. Northeast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh fumbled the save, allowing the ball to fall to Subhasish Bose, who managed to bundle it over the line in a chaotic scramble just outside the goal. Despite the scrappy nature of the finish, it was a deserved equalizer for Bagan. Bose, under pressure after a disappointing start to the season, put in a solid performance both defensively and offensively. His crucial goal, along with his strong passing and leadership from the back, capped off a true captain’s display.
Northeast United struggled to capitalize on their limited opportunities in the second half, failing to press the Mariners as Bagan increasingly looked like the side poised to take the lead. In a pivotal moment, Molina brought on his two-star strikers, Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren. The fans erupted with joy as Maclaren made his debut, donning the iconic green and maroon colours.
As the match seemed destined to end in a stalemate, Cummings had other ideas. In the 87th minute, he became Bagan’s clutch player once again. A perfectly timed pass from Sahal found an unmarked Cummings in the box, who confidently slotted the ball past the goalkeeper with his powerful left foot, giving Bagan the lead for the first time in the match. Bagan’s defence held on comfortably and clinched their first victory of this ISL, ending Molina’s 5-match winless streak.
Benali would be frustrated, as his team had taken the lead twice and looked threatening on multiple occasions yet walked away without any points from the match despite their strong effort. However, the lightning-fast attacking transitions they displayed were a significant positive to take from the game. Northeast United FC will look to build on this performance as they prepare for their first home game of the season next week against Kerala Blasters.
The Mariners demonstrated impressive character by coming back from behind and persistently pressing for victory, earning a deserved win that left fans and manager Molina, extremely proud. While Bagan’s attacking play has been promising, conceding five goals in their first two matches remains a significant concern that Molina will need to address. As they prepare to face Bengaluru FC next week in a highly anticipated and challenging clash, tightening up their defence will be crucial for their success moving forward.
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