Kolkata, August 27: In the ongoing Calcutta Football League, Mohun Bagan SG slipped out their crucial three points in the hand of Calcutta Customs in the dying moments of the match. With a 1-0 win Calcutta Customs beat Mohun Bagan SG, at the Naihati Bankimanjali Stadium, to kept alive their hopes of top three of the group , while the hope of best three almost came to end for Mohun Bagan SG.

The first half between Mohun Bagan SG and Calcutta Customs turned out to be an open contest, though both sides struggled to find rhythm in their attacking play. In the 10th minute, Mohun Bagan thought they had taken the lead when Tushar Biswakarma’s shot from the left side of the box found the back of the net after a rebound. However, the goal was ruled out as Muhammad Bilal, who got the final touch, was in an offside position.

Calcutta Customs came close in the 21st minute through Robi Hansda, whose strike from the right corner of the box missed the target, going over the crossbar. Soon after, in the 28th minute, Bishal Roy capitalised on a through ball and fired a shot from the edge of the box, but the Mohun Bagan SG goalkeeper was alert to make the save.

Adding to Mohun Bagan SG’s concerns, stopper Aditya Mondal had to be substituted in the 22nd minute due to injury, with Rohan Singh coming on as replacement. With Sandip Mallick and Pasang Tamang already sidelined, the green and maroon camp’s injury worries are increasing.

In the second half, Mohun Bagan SG and Calcutta Customs pushing for the opener, with chances created at both ends. In the 53rd minute, Customs came close when Riki Gharami delivered a free-kick from the right side of the eighteen yards box. Robi rose high to connect with a header, but the Mohun Bagan SG keeper pulled off a crucial save to deny the attempt.

Customs continued to threaten, and in the 70th minute Sumoy set up Robi on the left corner of the box. Robi passed it for Jhantu, who fired a shot from the middle of the box, only to be denied again by another excellent save from the Mohun Bagan SG keeper.

Mohun Bagan SG had their golden chance in the 88th minute when substitute Bivan, fresh on the field, found Piush Thakuri inside the box with a clever forward pass. In a one-on-one situation, however, Piyush failed to make well connect with the ball , the Customs keeper collect the ball safely.

Just when the game seemed destined to end goalless, drama unfolded in stoppage time. In the 90+7th minute, Rounak Paul who just came to the field two minutes ago, unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from the right corner of the box, which flew into the net to hand Calcutta Customs a late 1-0 lead.

Rounak Paul of Calcutta Customs after scoring last minute winner against Mohun Bagan SG in CFL 2025

The late strike proved decisive as Customs sealed the victory, leaving Mohun Bagan SG ruing missed chances and struggling with mounting injury concerns.

Mohun Bagan SG looked unrhythmic, with several key players like Leewan Castanha, Karan Rai, Sahil Inamdar, and others missing from CFL preparations as they were called up to the senior team and have yet to rejoin. On the other hand, injury concerns continue to rise for the side. With just one match left and the team sitting sixth in the points table with 14 points, the giants’ hopes of finishing in the top three of the group and progressing to the Super Six have almost faded away.