Mohun Bagan Super Giant are back on the winning track. On Thursday evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, they made a comeback to win the match 3-1 against Punjab FC. The pillar of defense, Alberto Rodriguez, Who promised the Mariners before the match that he will bring three points and score a goal as a Christmas gift, scored a brace to help secure all three points for the Mariners, further tightening their hold on the top spot of the group table with that win.
After the kickoff, the hosts took the lead early in the first quarter, with Ricky Shabong’s precise, defense-splitting pass leading to a goal in the 12th minute. However, the lead lasted only until halftime. In the 49th minute, Alberto’s header brought Mohun Bagan back into the game.
After a right-wing corner kick, Cummins delivered the ball into the net, which Alberto sent into the net. In the 51st minute, Punjab FC were reduced to ten men when Pulga Vidal received his second yellow card for a foul on Liston Colaco. In the 63rd minute, Maclaren leveled the score at 2-1 for Mohun Bagan SG.
Abhishek Singh fouled Anirudh Thapa inside the eighteen yard box, resulting in a penalty. Maclaren took the penalty kick and converted it into a goal. Within seven minutes, Alberto’s header increased Mohun Bagan’s lead to 3-1. From the left side, Anirudh Thapa received the ball in midfield and delivered an aerial cross into the box, which Alberto put into the net.
In the first half, Mohun Bagan SG attempted three shots, with one on target. However, in the second half, the Mariners showcased a dominant display, achieving 56% ball possession and taking 19 shots, nine of which were on target and converted three of these into goals, overturning a 1-0 down to secure a 3-1 victory. For Punjab FC and Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, this was an unexpected outcome, as they had taken the initial lead and were reduced to ten men, mirroring the circumstances of their previous match, though they are standing 7th in the group table with 18 points from 12 matches.
Next fixtures from both: Punjab FC will host Kerala Blasters FC on January 5. On January 2, Mohun Bagan SG will play their home fixtures against Hyderabad FC.
