Mohun Bagan Keeps League Shield Hopes Alive After Beating Punjab

Sayak Banerjee / 06-04-2024

Mohun Bagan has revived their hopes for the league shield after securing a crucial three points against Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Head coach Antonio Lopez Habas was absent due to illness, and the team also missed Sahal Abdul Samad due to injury and Kiyan Nassiri due to personal reasons.

From the onset of the match, Mohun Bagan asserted dominance with frequent attacks. Although the scoreline remained 1-0, Dimitri Petratos’ goal in the 42nd minute positioned them closer to the league shield, trailing Mumbai City FC by only two points.

However, despite seven shots on goal throughout the match, they struggled to widen the lead, a vulnerability that might prove costly in future games. With this win, Mohun Bagan now stands at second place in the league with 42 points from 20 matches, overtaking Odisha FC.

The road to clinching the league shield now hinges on their performance in the upcoming crucial match against Mumbai City FC. The team will need to address their defensive lapses and capitalize on scoring opportunities to secure their position at the top of the table.

Substitutions saw Ashis Rai and Jason Cummings replacing Sadiq and Liston Colaco for Mohun Bagan. The defensive and offensive strategy adjustments were evident as they sought to maintain their lead against Punjab FC, managed by Bengal’s Shankarlal Chakraborty.

The game saw attempts from Cummings and Kauko, with Wilmer Jordan narrowly missing a goal that could have secured a more comfortable lead. Despite these challenges, Dimitri Petratos’ early goal in the first half proved decisive, propelling Mohun Bagan towards a crucial victory in their pursuit of the league shield.