The last time these two sides met in the Hero Indian Super League, Mohun Bagan Super Giants secured a commanding 3-0 victory. In the return leg, Mohammedan Sporting Club, playing at home, endured an even heavier defeat, losing 0-4. League leaders Mohun Bagan, on the brink of securing back-to-back League Shields, dominated the bottom-placed Mohammedan throughout the match.
The game had multiple talking points—both positive and negative—on and off the field. Firstly, Mohammedan’s ongoing financial and ownership turmoil over the past month had a clear impact on the players. The squad looked demotivated and lacked the intent to push for a win. Several players have gone unpaid for months, and their I-League-winning head coach, Andrey Chernyshov, had to step down due to these ongoing issues, leaving Mehrajuddin Wadoo to take charge on an interim basis. The turmoil in the camp meant the team was mentally unprepared to challenge a high-flying Mohun Bagan side, who were relentless in their pursuit of another Shield.
Frustrated Mohammedan fans voiced their anger after the match, chanting slogans like “Chor Hatao, Club Bachao”, which translates to “Ensure Accountability, Save the Club.” The message was clearly directed at some officials.
Addressing the media post-match, Mohun Bagan official Debasish Dutta expressed his concern, saying, “I feel sad seeing a club like Mohammedan going through this rough patch, especially after winning the I-League last season.” He also emphasised the need for a more professional approach for better performances. “Officials should understand the fact that the I-League and ISL are different, and the standards here are much higher,” Dutta remarked. “The ISL has reached different heights, and such management mishaps won’t do the team any good in the long run.”
On the other hand, Mohun Bagan looked determined and focused on their goal of winning the League Shield for a second consecutive time—perhaps even adding the Cup to their tally this season. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith had already set the tone before the match, stating, “Not only the Shield, we aim to win the Cup this time.” That ambition appears very realistic at this stage. The players demonstrated excellent coordination, moving the ball seamlessly from defence to attack with well-practised training-ground routines. Their control in possession and use of the wings and midfield were textbook examples of a well-drilled side.
Mohun Bagan’s head coach, Jose Molina, has successfully instilled his warrior mentality into the squad. His hunger for excellence was evident during the match. Despite a 4-0 victory, he was still not fully satisfied. “I am happy but could have scored more,” said the Spanish coach in the post-match press conference. “We created many more chances.”
On the other side, Mohammedan’s interim coach, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, kept his media interaction brief and did not hold back in criticising Mirjalol Kasimov’s reckless red card. The Uzbekistan midfielder, seemingly frustrated, launched a needless tackle on Tom Aldred without any intention of playing the ball, earning a straight red. “While playing against a side like Mohun Bagan, you need to be more responsible and play for the team,” Wadoo said, directing his frustration toward Kasimov.
Another standout performer on the night was Mohun Bagan’s captain, Subhasish Bose, who is enjoying the best form of his career. The defender netted a brace—his first goal showcasing an instinctive striker’s finish, as he positioned himself perfectly in the box before converting with a composed right-footed strike after a one-touche left-footed receive.
His second goal was equally clinical, this time finishing with his left foot. Along with Manvir Singh, who also got on the scoresheet twice, Bose played a crucial role in both attack and defence, making vital interceptions and clearances.
With these two goals, Bose has now reached a tally of six goals in 18 games, making him Mohun Bagan’s joint-top scorer alongside Jamie MacLaren. While his scoring ability is a great asset for Bagan, it also highlights a larger concern for Indian football. In the top 20 goal scorers of the current ISL season, only two Indians—Sunil Chhetri and Subhasish Bose—feature. With Chhetri in the twilight of his career and having already retired from international football, it is alarming that the only other Indian among the top scorers is a defender. The next best Indian forward, Manvir Singh, reached five goals with his brace in this match, having played the same number of games.
As the league approaches its business end, this match reaffirmed Mohun Bagan’s credentials as one of the strong contenders to clinch both the League Shield and the Cup. Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting must urgently address their internal problems if they wish to salvage any points in their remaining matches and improve their fortunes in the next season.
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