Manvir Singh’s 86th-minute goal seals Mohun Bagan SG’s first home win of the ISL season despite Chennaiyin FC’s 25 shots and several missed chances.

Kolkata, October 26: Mohun Bagan SG secured their first home win of the ongoing Indian Super League season against Chennaiyin FC on Monday evening at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. However, the Mariners had to wait until the closing stages to break Chennaiyin FC’s resistance, as Manvir Singh’s 86th-minute goal separated the two sides after a series of missed chances at both ends.

As the whistle blow, Chennaiyin FC took little time to settle into the rhythm of the game, but Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s last line of defence remained alert through the match. In the 11th minute, Alberto squandered one of the Mohun Bagan’s earliest chances to break the deadlock. Samir Zeljkovic flicked a long ball towards the far post with a header, where Alberto was well-positioned and needed only a simple finish to find the net. However, he narrowly missed the target, letting the opportunity slip away.

Just minutes later, Brison nearly found the net for Chennaiyin FC, but Vishal Kaith was there to make the save. Gradually, the game opened up, with the visitors pressing high while Mohun Bagan SG continued to create chances but failed to convert them.

In the 27th minute, Irfan Yadwad moved into the box from the left and attempted a shot, but once again, Vishal came off his line and closed the angle to keep the net untouched.

In the 36th minute, Drazic’s shot from just outside the edge of the box flew over the crossbar, with a quick build-up that created a promising opportunity for Mohun Bagan SG to take the lead.

Just three minutes later, another chance presented itself, and this time, the Mariners came agonisingly close to scoring. Drazic made a solo run down the left before attempting a low shot, which Nawaz saved. However, the rebound fell inside the box, and Manvir, from close range near the goal line, failed to find the net.

The second half continued in the same attacking fashion, with both sides searching for the breakthrough. Vishal Kaith remained a key figure for Mohun Bagan SG as Chennaiyin looked to break the deadlock. In the 59th minute, Ramon Tanque tested the Mariners with a curling effort, but Kaith stretched infront of the attack to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The Mariners responded with an attacking move of their own in the 70th minute. Anirudh Thapa found out Lee Erwin with a lofted pass, allowing the forward to attempt a left-footed finish from the left side. Nawaz, however, read the effort well and denied him.

Mohun Bagan threatened again minutes later. Manvir Singh seized possession from Ramon Tanque inside Chennaiyin’s penalty area following a free-kick and immediately whipped the ball in the box . Despite the dangerous delivery, none of his teammates could make contact, leaving the score unchanged.

In the 78th minute, the woodwork came to Mohun Bagan SG’s rescue as Nikola Stankovic unleashed a powerful effort from inside the box that ratteld the post, denying Chennaiyin FC’s all the efforts.

However, the Mariners finally found their moment eight minutes later. The Liston-Manvir duo came to sail the Mariners’ boat. In the 86th minute, Liston whipped a pinpoint cross into the box from the left, and Manvir directed the ball into the net with his chest to put Mohun Bagan SG ahead.

Chennaiyin’s 25 shots compared to Mohun Bagan SG’s 15 reflected how often the visitors threatened, but the difference came in the final third. With just one shot separating the sides in efforts on target, the contest was closer than the overall numbers suggest. The Mariners were not as prolific in creating attempts, but they made the decisive one count through one chance. The win takes Mohun Bagan SG to fifth after three matches, while Chennaiyin remain 11th, left to rue a night when their attacking efforts failed to bring a result, as Manvir’s late finish proved decisive in a contest where chances were plenty but goals were hard to come by.