ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan SG inches closer to defending Shield after 3-0 win against Kerala Blasters
ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan SG inches closer to defending Shield after 3-0 win against Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters failed to break its jinx at home after a 0-3 loss against Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Saturday.
A brace from Jamie Maclaren (28th & 40th) and a goal from Alberto Rodriguez (60th) was enough for the MBSG to take full points against the host.
Kerala Blasters paid the price for not being able to convert the chances when it dominated possession early in the first half. The home side had seven shots on target before the 30-minute mark. However, the Mariner’s defence under captain Subhashish Bose kept its line. Subhashish blocked successive shots from Korou Singh in the eighth minute, and goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a splendid save to deny Amawia in the 25th minute.
The Super Giants flipped the tide and went ahead in the 28th minute through Jamie Maclaren. Liston Colaco, on the left flank, warded off both Adrian Luna and Sandeep Singh and threaded in a nice cross to Maclaren. The striker’s first touch was heavy, but he buried the ball into the top corner of the net with a left-footer.
It just took four touches for the second Mariners goal. Goalkeeper Kaith’s goal kick landed deep inside the Blasters half, where Maclaren won the aerial duel and knocked the ball to Jason Cummings, who dinked the ball over the Blasters defence to Maclaren. The latter kept his cool and lobbed it over goalkeeper Sachin Suresh to increase the lead in the 40th minute.
The pattern of play in the second half was similar, with the Mariners’ highline defence keeping the Blasters attack in check. The visitor increased the lead against the run of play in the 67th minute when the Blasters’ defence failed to clear the ball following a free kick. Alberto Rodriguez latched on to a rebound and scored with a left footer.
Published on Feb 15, 2025
