The Finals of the Indian Super League 2023-24, played at Kolkata, saw home favorites Mohun Bagan SG crumble on the big stage against Mumbai City FC. Mohun Bagan, looking to add to their silverware tally of the season, having won the Durand Cup and the League Shield were held back by Mumbai City FC.
The home crowd were in for a treat during the first half, though the Mariners were under pressure for significant parts of the opening half it was Jason Cummings who converted an opportunity putting his team ahead in the 44th minute which was the team’s only second shot on target at the time.
Mumbai displayed resilience in the second half, having learnt from their Shield losing defeat three weeks ago against the Mariners. The equalizer for Mumbai came in the 53rd through Jorge Pereyra Diaz after a period of possession and control. The goal-scorer Pereyra Diaz and Alberto Noguera had to be substituted due to injuries, it came as a silver lining for Mumbai as their replacements Bipin Singh and Jakub Vojtus both went on to score in the 81st and 95th minute respectively marking a comeback and sealing the title for Mumbai.
Asish Rai of Pakyong, fullback for Mohun Bagan Super Giants, failed to make it a hat-trick of ISL trophies having won the title in the last two seasons, winning the championship with Mohun Bagan in the 2022-23 season and with Hyderabad FC in the 2021-22 season.
Meanwhile, Lachen’s Phurba Lachenpa between the sticks for the Islanders now has added another ISL championship in his cabinet, also adding the icing on the cake, he bagged the Golden Glove Award.
