Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina shared his pleasure as the Mariners eased past Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Despite the first half ending in a goalless draw, the hosts displayed a valiant performance in the final half, creating several clear-cut chances thanks to Jamie Maclaren, Greg Stewart, Jason Cummings, and others. A second-half brace from Jamie Maclaren and Liston Colaco’s curling strike propelled the defending League Shield champions to make their way to the ISL playoffs for the fifth time in a row.

Following this stunning 3-0 win, Mohun Bagan Super Giant now have a 100% win record against Punjab FC in the ISL, having won each of the four games against the Shers in the league.

The Mariners registered their ninth home win of this season, tied for their highest such tally in a single ISL season (also nine in 2020-21). While quizzed about the secret behind their strong, dominating run in home games, Molina answered,

“The work of the players is the secret. The work of everybody—coaching staff, supporting staff, management, and owner—is helping the team. Everybody is pushing in the same way.”

“And finally, the players are doing a great job. Being successful in front of the goal, being successful defending our goal, keeping clean sheets. It's no other secret. It's everybody’s work in the same direction,” he further added in the post-match press conference.

Maclaren, who scored his first ISL brace against the Shers, has now scored five opening goals for the Mariners in the ongoing season. Moreover, Mohun Bagan Super Giant have won each of their seven ISL games this season in which the Australian international has scored; indeed, this is the highest such tally for any player in 2024-25.

Molina heaped praise on Maclren’s impactful performance in the second half but also showered faith on his other forwards such as Jason Cummings and Greg Stewart, who also created a couple of goal-scoring opportunities.

“Maclaren did a great performance. Greg (Stewart) did a great performance. Jason (Cummings), well done; he did a great performance,” Molina remarked.

“I’m not worried about the goals because they are having the chances. The strikers have chances. Goals will come. I'm happy too. Goals will come. They have to keep working in the same way. And they will score more goals,” he continued.

Sahal Abdul Samad, who was given a start against Punjab FC, was substituted after picking up an injury in the first half. Moreover, Anirudh Thapa has also been sidelined due to an injury in the past few weeks. While asked about the midfielders’ injury updates and their potential chances to be in the matchday squad for the Kerala Blasters FC game, Molina remarked,

“About Sahal, I cannot tell you at that moment exactly how many times he is going to be out. And about Thapa, I don't know right now if he will be ready for the match.”

“Hopefully, we will try to prepare him. Right now, I don't know if he will be ready,” he added.

With 46 points from 20 matches, the Mariners find themselves at the summit of the points table and are inches away from defending League Shield. The Kolkata giants need only seven points from their four remaining games of the 2024-25 season. Eventually, Mohun Bagan Super Giant could be crowned as the League Shield winners before their away fixture in Kochi if both Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa lose their next two matches.

Shedding light on the League Shield scenarios, Molina said,

“They (opponent teams) can still win all the matches. I don't know exactly how many points they can reach, but it’s more than 46. We are happy. We are at a good advantage.”

“It's true that in that moment there are two more matches to play. But we will see what happens with the remaining matches. It happens what happens. We are always focused on ourselves and our matches,” he signed off.

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Mohun Bagan Super Giant2024-2025Punjab FC Jose Francisco MolinaSahal Abdul SamadJamie MacLaren