ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan SG edges past Bengaluru FC to extend lead at the top
ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan SG edges past Bengaluru FC to extend lead at the top
Mohun Bagan Super Giant extended its lead at the top of the ISL standings as it clinched a 1-0 win against Bengaluru FC at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Monday.
Liston Colaco’s spectacular volley in the 74th minute was the point of difference between the sides.
The Mariners picked up their 12th league win of the campaign to reach 40 points from 18 matches and opened up a seven-point lead over the second-placed FC Goa, which has a game in hand.
Bengaluru, which suffered its fourth loss in the last five appearances, has 28 points from 18 matches to remain in the third spot.
The Blues controlled the tempo for a greater part of the opening session with their captain Sunil Chhetri finding two good scoring opportunities that he failed to finish. The defence maintained a great shape and held off the Mohun Bagan attacks which were relatively few in number.
Chhetri’s first chance came in the 18th minute when he tried a shot on the turn only to see his effort going inches wide. Bengaluru utilised the flanks well to make inroads into the Mohun Bagan box with greater regularity.
The Bengaluru captain had another good chance in the first half injury-time but he remained off target yet again.
The combination of Australian forward Ryan Williams, Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguera and Indian fullback Nikhil Poojary figured prominently in Bengaluru’s offensive plans, and the visitor seized a greater share of ball possession.
Despite not getting much control over the ball, Mohun Bagan tried to find effective counter-attacks. One such breakaway move by Mohun Bagan in the 74th minute ended Bengaluru’s fight when Colaco finished with a fantastic volley from just outside the Bengaluru box to help Mohun Bagan walk away with the full quota of points.
Rahul Bheke had a chance to find the equaliser off a corner in the final minute of the added time, but his header went inches over the crossbar to continue the finishing woes for Bengaluru FC.
