Mumbai City FC have lifted their second Indian Super League (ISL) Cup with a convincing comeback win over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the grand finale of the ISL 2023-24 season on Saturday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. 

The Mariners got a head start finding their opener seconds before the halftime whistle, but it was Mumbai City FC who dominated the match right from kickoff until the final whistle, winning the match 3-1.

Alongside goals coming from Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Jakub Vojtus, it was Bipin Singh who found the net, ruining the ISL Cup dream of Mohun Bagan SG for the second time, having scored the 90th-minute winner against the Mariners back in the final of the ISL 2020-21 season.  

The Islanders finished the game with just three foreigners on the pitch and it was during this final phase of the game that Mumbai City FC defeated the Mariners scoring twice. 

Mumbai City FC's strength was thus built on their Indian players who form the backbone of the team. With Yoell van Nieff already absent in the final, the Indian players stepped up to guide the team to glory.

Here's a look at key Indian performers for Kratky's team in ISL 2023-24.

Lallianzuala Chhangte

Establishing himself as the most clutch player in the Kratky-coached side, Chhangte has been the x-factor for Mumbai City FC. With his six-minute brace against FC Goa in the first leg of semi-final 1, the Mizo sniper has helped his team achieve their ISL Cup dream.

The 26-year-old has contributed the most goals for the Islanders this season scoring 10 goals and registering six assists, in the process. He has also scored in double figures for the second consecutive time becoming the first Indian player in ISL history to have achieved the feat. 

With a passing accuracy of 83%, Chhangte has further created 43 goalscoring chances for his team.

Vikram Partap Singh

As the rightful awardee of the Emerging Player Award for the ISL 2023-24 season, Vikram Partap Singh has been a constant threat for the opposition in the second half of the league stage. 

The 22-year-old has amassed eight goals and four assists this season while also becoming the second youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Indian top tier. 

The youngster has shown up for the Islanders whenever his team demanded a goal, as was the case in the ISL semi-finals first leg where he scored their 91st equaliser against FC Goa, eventually helping his team reach the final and then lifting their second ISL Cup. 

Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia)

Apuia’s brilliance in the middle of the pitch has earned him the Player of the Match award in the final of the ISL 2023-24 season. 

The Mizoram-born midfielder has controlled the midfield this season with experience that goes far beyond his age, making the most of his physical strength. 

Alongside a goal and a couple of assists to his name, Apuia ended the season with 85% passing accuracy, creating 17 chances for his team. 

He further made 19 crucial interceptions, and 17 clearances helping his team control the midfield and dominate their matches consistently.

Rahul Bheke

The Mumbai City FC captain has been a wall at the back for the Islanders, helping his team keep eight clean sheets with him leading their backline. 

The local from Mumbai has displayed a remarkable defensive display in the back this season helping his team concede the least goals in the league this season (19).

With 21 successful tackles, 25 interceptions, and seven blocks, the India international has further won 74 duels and made 48 important clearances.

On the attacking front, as a center-back, Bheke has created nine chances for his team to score goals.

His maturity and leadership at the back of Mumbai City FC were crucial to their ISL Cup success. 

Mehtab Singh

The wing-back has shown immaculate creativity and composure when under pressure, succeeding in 15 tackles and 87 duels.

In his 23 appearances in the ISL 2023-24 season, Singh has helped his team to three clean sheets, registering 23 interceptions, nine blocks, and 61 clearances, in the process. 

Singh has further sustained a passing accuracy of 81%, creating seven goal-scoring chances for his team, while also bagging himself a goal and an assist. The Indian defender also displayed versatility as he was utlised in three different positions along the defensive line. 

Phurba Lachenpa

The ISL Golden Glove winner had another remarkable season for the Islanders in between the sticks as he helped the team with crucial saves throughout the season. The goalkeeper also improved his presence inside the box, collecting crosses and commanding his box. Lachenpa made 42 saves during the season and was a very reliable goalkeeper with the ball at his feet which helped Islanders maintain their possession-style game. 

The goalkeeper also earned a national team call-up and showed that he has a big future ahead of him.

The Islanders deserve credit for grooming a lot of these young players and significantly improving them over the last 2-3 year. All of these players now feature for the Indian national team which wasn't the case for majority of these players when they signed for the team.