Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Hyderabad FC 2-0 in the 37th match of the Indian Super League at the Maidaan in Gachibowli on Wednesday, October 30. Goals from Manvir Singh (37′) and Subhasish Bose (55′) proved decisive for the defending ISL Cup champions against a hard-working home team.
Mohun Bagan’s first goal came in the 37th minute thanks to a ball lost cheaply in midfield by Hyderabad’s Abdul Rabeeh. It was then picked up by the Mariners’ midfield maestro Anirudh Thapa, who turned almost 180 degrees to lay a through ball towards a galloping Manvir Singh on the right wing.
The latter changed his angle well enough to evade Hyderabad goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte, who tried to make it all the more acute by rushing towards Singh. The ball landed in the back of the net nonetheless, and the travelling Mohun Bagan supporters had reason enough to cheer their lungs out.
Hyderabad’s midfield appeared a tad ruffled in the first half, with the usually sedate Isaac Vanmalsawma looking to play through balls but without many recipients on the other end. However, his willingness to shield his defenders and tilt the direction the Nawabs’ attack was going was noteworthy.
The Mariners started on the front foot and retained possession in the first half, although some lapses on the wings allowed Hyderabad to capitalise. Young Ramhlunchhunga impressed, as he usually does, as did Cy Goddard and Allan Paulista lining up in front of him.
Mohun Bagan move up to the second position of the ISL table with this win
Mohun Bagan’s second goal came in the 55th minute from a dead-ball situation. Greg Stewart took the free kick and found Subhasish Bose lurking on the end of Hyderabad’s defensive line, completely unmarked. Bose wasted no time in getting a touch and lobbing the ball into the net, making the score 2-0.
Hyderabad tried hard to come back all game, but a lack of cohesion in the final third proved to be their downfall. Despite conceding two goals, they did not do too poorly in defence, and more than held their own against Mohun Bagan’s enterprising attacking setup. This included some desperate last-minute defending from Alex Saji and Stefan Sapic to ensure the deficit remained at two.
Mohun Bagan truly showed their class in this game, and entertained their travelling supporters, along with the hordes of IT employees living in Hyderabad who bleed maroon and green. Their hunger to remain clinical till the end and try for goals in any way possible stood out on a cold autumn night in the city.
This win takes the Mariners to the second position of the ISL standings with 13 points inside their kitty, while Hyderabad remain in the 11th spot with 4 points. Mohun Bagan next travel to play Odisha FC on 10 November while Hyderabad visit Kochi to take on Kerala Blasters on 7 November.
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