Last Updated:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Punjab FC 3-0 in the ISL 2024-25, securing a play-off spot. Jamie Maclaren scored twice, with Liston Colaco adding another goal at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Mohan Bagan SG had a brilliant home day. (@mohunbagansg)
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Punjab FC 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Jamie Maclaren netted a brace on either side of Liston Colaco’s goal as Mohun Bagan became the first team to book their place in the play-offs for the season.
Predictably, it was the Mariners who started the game on the front foot with the Shers happy to sit back and defend right from kick-off. Mohun Bagan had the first chance on goal as Greg Stewart ran through the Punjab defense but was thwarted on his first go and had a second attempt tipped over the crossbar by keeper Ravi Kumar in the 10th minute.
After the initial fury, the game soon descended into a mid-field melee masking mediocrity as Mohun Bagan and Punjab FC players failed to create any meaningful chances.
Jamie Maclaren was set free in behind the defense but was shoulder-barged off the ball by the last defender as the referee waved away calls for a penalty. There was more misery for the Mohun Bagan fans as Sahal Abdul Samad slipped while trying to capitalize on a stray ball and went down clutching his ankle.
Jose Molina opted to bring in Abhishek Suryavanshi in his place soon after.
With the first half drawing to a close, Liston had an unlikely opportunity to hand Mohun Bagan the lead when he latched on to a weak clearance after a long ball meant for Stewart was headed back. The Indian forward’s first-time shot was almost spilled by the Punjab FC keeper but Ravi Kumar somehow gathered the ball on his second try.
At the restart, Molina opted to change things at the back with Ashique Kuruniyan replacing Asish Rai as Shubhasish Bose playing in the middle.
It was Punjab though who almost scored as Petros Giakoumakis hit the upright after receiving the ball from Ezequiel Vidal in the 55th minute.
That was warning enough as Maclaren handed Mohun Bagan the lead in the 56th minute as he brought down a cross from right-back Dippendu Biswas followed by a calm finish into the bottom left corner.
At the hour-mark, Maclaren could have scored again as instinctively directed Deepak Tangri’s ferocious long-ranger, which was albeit going wide.
Mohun Bagan did get their second of the night as Liston’s shot-cum-cross was almost touched but Stewart did enough to put the keeper off as the ball evaded everyone and curled into the far post in the 63rd.
From Punjab almost scoring to Mohun Bagan grabbing a two-goal lead, the game had turned on its head.
Panagiotis Dilmperis had to react.
Muhammad Suhail, Nihal Sudheesh, Luka Majcen and Filip Mrzljak replaced Petros Giakoumakis, Melroy Assisi, Vinit Rai and Ezequiel Vidal.
Molina too brought on Jason Cummings in place of Greg Stewart as Punjab FC’s Shami Singamayum came in for Ricky Shabong.
The visitors piled on the bodies forward in search of goals but faltered mostly in the penultimate touch. In the 87th minute, Maclaren could have scored again but could not get a proper connection on Manvir Singh’s cross.
Maclaren did put the ball in the back of the net in added time after 90 as Jason Cummings pounced on a heavy touch from Asish Pradhan as the Aussie forward finished off for his second.
Mohun Bagan held on for their ninth home win and complete the double over Punjab FC.
