The Mariners’ Masterclass: How Mohun Bagan Conquered ISL 11
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Kolkata: On Sunday, in the presence of their supporters at Salt Lake Stadium, Mohun Bagan Super Giants have the opportunity to become the first team to successfully defend the league shield of the Indian Super League (ISL). In doing so, they may also be the first to surpass the 50-point mark. With each team playing 24 matches, this season is the longest to date; however, after 21 rounds, Mohun Bagan has accumulated 49 points, exceeding their total from the previous 22-match league.
After an initial setback, where they suffered a 0-3 defeat to Bengaluru FC—deemed by head coach Jose Molina as the only match in which they were outperformed—they also let slip a two-goal advantage against Mumbai City and secured only one victory in their first three matches. Nevertheless, Mohun Bagan has since asserted their dominance throughout the season. They ascended to the top of the 13-team standings following a 3-0 victory at home against Jamshedpur FC on November 23 and have seldom looked back since.
Mohun Bagan leads the league with the highest number of wins (15), the most goals scored (42), and the fewest goals conceded (14). The fact that FC Goa and Mumbai City FC, possessing the next best defensive records, have conceded 11 more goals despite having played one match less underscores the significant gap between Mohun Bagan and their competitors. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has achieved 13 clean sheets in 21 matches, more than double that of the next best performer. Furthermore, after being the team with the highest number of bookings (22) after six rounds, Mohun Bagan stands out as the only team yet to receive a red card this season.
The 3-0 away victory against Kerala Blasters on Saturday exemplified Mohun Bagan’s season, characterized by their clinical finishing and solid defensive organization. Despite holding only 33.4% possession, which resulted in significantly fewer touches (693-438) and passes (516-261), they managed to register four shots on target, two more than their opponents.
Mohun Bagan currently ranks fifth in overall possession statistics, holding 53.36% as they prepare for the upcoming round commencing on Wednesday. According to data from the Indian Super League (ISL), Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City, Kerala Blasters, and Odisha FC have maintained higher possession rates. While NorthEast United leads in total attempts on goal with 348, Mohun Bagan excels with the highest number of attempts on target, totaling 125. A notable instance of their effectiveness in the attacking phase was Jamie Maclaren’s flick for his second goal, which exemplified their precision in the final third, as the ball moved from Kaith to the opponent's goal in just six touches, involving three outfield players.
In addition, Mohun Bagan has proven to be the most proficient team in set-piece situations throughout the competition, having scored 20 goals from set-pieces, which is two more than the second-placed Odisha FC. They have conceded five goals from set-pieces, while FC Goa, currently second in the standings with 39 points and a match in hand, along with NorthEast United in fourth place, have both allowed 10 goals. Bengaluru FC, positioned fifth, has conceded 15 goals.
Molina, referring to the team's success in attacking set-pieces, stated, “Everybody helps. I have a good staff.” He emphasized the importance of the player executing the corner or free kick, as well as the presence of physically imposing players capable of winning aerial duels. Notably, eleven of their goals have been scored by two defenders, captain Subhasish Bose and Alberto Rodriguez.
Molina, a former Spain international and sporting director of the Spanish federation, has played a crucial role in uniting this talented squad. Mohun Bagan boasts 11 Indian internationals, and among their foreign players is Maclaren, the all-time leading scorer in the A-League. His teammate from the 2022 Australia World Cup squad, Jason Cummings, who made a significant impact last season, along with Dimitrios Petratos, who has been instrumental in goals and assists over the past two years, and Greg Stewart, a winner of the Scottish Premiership, league shield, ISL cup, and golden ball, contribute to the team's strength. Central defenders Tom Aldred and Rodriguez have also demonstrated remarkable performance, showing little indication that this is their inaugural season with the club.
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