In the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023–24 season, Mohun Bagan Super Giants finally ended their winless run against Hyderabad FC with a decisive 2-0 victory at Kolkata’s legendary Salt Lake Stadium. Anirudh Thapa and Jason Cummings’ goals helped the Mariners mount a much-needed comeback following a string of lackluster games. Let’s take a closer look at the player performances and game highlights that influenced this significant victory.
Table of Contents
The Arrival of Thapa and Cummings:
Two big additions to the Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Anirudh Thapa and Jason Cummings, had drawn criticism for their lack of output in the first few games of the campaign. But in this encounter, things turned out better for them. Thapa, who is renowned for his skill as a defensive midfielder, showed incredible positional awareness in the 12th minute to take advantage of a corner kick and give his team the lead. Just before halftime, Cummings, an experienced Australian forward with FIFA World Cup experience, scored thanks to a skillfully executed play by Manvir Singh.
Manvir Singh’s Impact:
Manvir Singh became a key player in Mohun Bagan’s offensive scheme, constantly inflicting damage on Hyderabad FC’s defense with his quickness and inventiveness. His crucial contribution to Cummings’ goal demonstrated his field vision and dexterity. Singh’s efforts not only helped the team score goals but also improved the spirits of the fans, as seen by his joyous celebration following the pivotal assist.
Hyderabad FC’s Defensive Struggles:
Throughout the game, Hyderabad, a young team, found it difficult to stop Mohun Bagan’s attacking strength. Vishal Kaith, the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper, was unfazed by Joseph Sunny’s and Amon Lepcha’s incoherent offensive play, despite their intermittent attempts. Hyderabad’s failure to take advantage of scoring opportunities brought attention to the need for tactical improvement and defensive resiliency in upcoming games.
Anirudh Thapa: The Key Performer:
Anirudh Thapa was named the Key Performer of the Match for his outstanding performance. His defensive contributions, skillful passing accuracy, and—above all—his game-winning goal highlighted his importance to the group. With 26 of his 31 passes completed, as well as the creation of a vital goal-scoring opportunity, Thapa demonstrated his versatility and his potential to be a key player for Mohun Bagan in future games.
Looking Ahead:
Now that they have achieved their first victory, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will try to maintain this positive momentum as they get ready for their next match on February 14 against FC Goa. The victory over Hyderabad FC gives Antonio Lopez Habas’ team more self-assurance and faith in their capacity to compete at the top level in the ISL. In contrast, as Hyderabad prepares to face East Bengal FC on February 17, they will aim to regroup and address their defensive weaknesses.
Conclusion:
The victory over Hyderabad FC by Mohun Bagan represents a major turning point in their ISL 2023–24 campaign. The team and its passionate supporters have newfound hope and aspirations thanks to the outstanding performances of Anirudh Thapa, Jason Cummings, and Manvir Singh. The Mariners will aim to build on this triumph and establish themselves as strong competitors in the chase for ISL championship glory as the season goes on.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant Starting XI
Kaith (GK), Thapa, Petratos, Manvir, Subhasish (C), Abhishek, Sahal, Hector, Glan, Cummins, Amandeep
Hyderabad FC Starting XI
Gurmeet (GK), Rafi, Sajad, Chothe, Sailo, Saji, Chhunga, Jeremy, J Sunny, Rabeeh, Mark
