Kolkata: Liston Colaco delivered a goal that was both exquisite and remarkable, potentially securing the league shield for Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

With six matches remaining and 18 already played, Mohun Bagan has become the first team to reach 40 points, transforming the competition for the top position in the Indian Super League (ISL) into a near formality. The decisive strike in the 74th minute, which clinched a 1-0 victory, will be replayed repeatedly for all supporters of the green and maroon colours. Colaco's exuberant celebration, devoid of his shirt, mirrored the excitement. Typically composed, even Jose Molina joined in the jubilation, embracing Colaco. It is a well-known fact that when Colaco finds the net, his teams emerge victorious, a trend that remained unbroken on Monday.

Dressed in pink, Bengaluru FC aggressively challenged Mohun Bagan. They arrived at Salt Lake Stadium with a determination that had been absent in their previous four matches this month, from which they had secured only a single point. Gerard Zaragoza, the Bengaluru FC coach, was visibly energized, and fully engaged in every moment of the game. After 35 minutes, Mohun Bagan had managed a mere 29% possession.

Amid the high energy and intensity, moments of tranquillity may have eluded them. The fervour seemed to affect Sunil Chhetri, who is usually the calmest player on the field. Chinglensana Singh, Chhetri, and Alberto Noguera executed a series of passes before Noguera delivered a clever reverse pass to the former India captain, the all-time leading scorer in ISL history. At 45+1, it would have been an ideal conclusion to a half they had largely controlled. However, with Manvir Singh pressuring him and Vishal Kaith closing in, Chhetri was unable to position himself to aim for the far post. Instead, he was forced to shoot towards the near post, resulting in a miss.

Chhetri struck the post in frustration and tugged at his shirt as the players exited the field. Bengaluru FC had created more significant opportunities but failed to capitalize. Chhetri's quick attempt went off-target, and Ryan Williams shot directly at Kaith after finding space to connect with Noguera’s pass.

The composure exhibited by Mohun Bagan played a significant role in their performance. They effectively absorbed the pressure and sought opportunities to counterattack. Greg Stewart attempted to connect with Colaco, but Nikhil Poojary intervened successfully. The passes in the final third were not reaching their intended targets; however, Subhasish Bose stood out defensively, supported by Tom Aldred's diving header and Lalengmawia Ralte's excellent clearance. Mohun Bagan appeared unfazed by the challenges presented to them, demonstrating preparedness and anticipation.

While the wide players were largely contained, Manvir Singh had to assist Dippendu Biswas due to the constant threat posed by Chhetri. Nevertheless, with Deepak Tangri also contributing defensively, Mohun Bagan effectively compensated for the absence of Ashish Rai. When they advanced, albeit infrequently, they managed to position players within the opponent's penalty area. Although these incursions did not yield immediate results, they eventually bore fruit.

The goal epitomized the composure that Mohun Bagan maintained throughout the match. Almost every outfield player contributed to the build-up as the ball was transitioned fluidly from one side to the other. Maclaren, typically not known for engaging in challenges, was more active than usual, particularly against Rahul Bheke, which hindered the Bengaluru FC centre-back's ability to execute a powerful headed clearance. The ball fell to Colaco, who struck it beautifully from nearly 20 yards out. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, appearing more confident than in recent outings, had no chance of stopping the shot, which would have overwhelmed any team, especially one like Bengaluru FC that had exerted considerable effort. Despite this setback, Bheke managed to rise and connect with a header from a stoppage-time corner taken by Williams, but they concluded the second half as they had the first—off target. "Fatal January," remarked Zaragoza.

Read Also: Mumbai's Upcoming Ranji Trophy Match: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer to Sit Out After Lackluster Display Against J&K

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!