Mumbai’s Magic: From Down & Out to Top of the Shout

Kolkata, September 13, 2024 – In a thrilling encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium, Mohun Bagan Super Giants showcased their resilience by securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season opener.

The match began with high intensity as both teams looked to make an early impact. Mumbai City FC, known for their attacking prowess, started strong but were soon met with a resilient Mohun Bagan defense. The first breakthrough came in the 8th minute when Mumbai City’s center-back Tiri inadvertently scored an own goal, giving Mohun Bagan an early lead.

Mohun Bagan capitalized on this momentum, and in the 30th minute, Alberto Rodriguez doubled their lead with a well-placed header from a corner kick, marking his ISL debut with a goal. Despite Mumbai City’s efforts to claw back into the game, Mohun Bagan’s defense, led by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, held firm until the second half.

Mumbai City FC’s persistence paid off in the 69th minute when Tiri redeemed himself by scoring a crucial goal to bring his team back into the match. The drama continued until the dying moments of the game, with Thaer Krouma scoring an equalizer in the 89th minute, ensuring the match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Press Conference Highlights

After the match, both coaches addressed the media. Mohun Bagan’s coach praised his team’s resilience and defensive solidity. “We knew Mumbai City would come at us with everything they had, but our boys showed incredible character and discipline,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of starting the season with a strong performance and building on this momentum.

Mumbai City FC’s coach acknowledged the mistakes but remained optimistic. “It’s a tough draw, but we have a long season ahead. We need to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger,” he stated. He also praised Mohun Bagan’s performance, particularly their defensive organization.

Players from both teams echoed their coaches’ sentiments. Mohun Bagan’s Alberto Rodriguez expressed his delight at scoring on his debut and contributing to the team’s performance. Mumbai City’s captain, Lallianzuala Chhangte, emphasized the need to regroup and focus on the upcoming matches.

Overall, the match was a testament of the Drama, entertainment and quality Football that would be on a platter for all of us to expect in this season of the Indian Super League.