Mohun Bagan SG head coach Jose Molina commended his team's overall performance as the Mariners staged a thrilling comeback victory against NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.

The Highlanders took the lead twice during the match, but the hosts mounted a strong comeback on both occasions, ultimately securing the win with super-sub Jason Cummings scoring the decisive goal. This victory marked Mohun Bagan SG’s first of the ISL 2024-25 season. Notably, it was the 10th time Mohun Bagan SG has rallied from a deficit to win and the fifth instance against NorthEast United FC.

The Mohun Bagan SG head coach praised his players for their dedication on the pitch, highlighting their efforts to secure the win. Molina expressed his delight at earning their first three points of the season after playing to a 2-2 draw in the season opener.

"Yes, it was important to win. Today we achieved our first victory of the season. Really happy," he said in the post-match press conference.

"Of course I tell sometimes (that) I'm not happy. But today the players did a great job. They fought until the end. They never gave up," he added.

The Durand Cup finalists were involved in another exhilarating encounter, with the Mariners emerging victorious after 90 minutes of end-to-end action. Juan Pedro Benali's men delivered a solid performance throughout the match, showcasing both offensive versatility and defensive stability.

Molina acknowledged the Highlanders' squad depth and their style of play, especially their defensive organization. While speaking about his opponent players, Molina shared,

"To play against NorthEast United FC isn't easy because they defend really well."

"They know exactly what they want to do. They ran really well. They surprised us in the first minutes," he continued.

Molina believed that his team could've scored more goals against the Highlanders if they converted their chances in both halves. Speaking in this context, he said,

"We scored three; also, we would've scored more because I remember in the first half, for example, a shot from Greg (Stewart), (was) saved by the defender between the sticks on the line."

"And the players need to put in a great effort. (There are still) Things to do, of course, but they are really happy because we got the three points. I hope the win will give us more confidence in the next matches," Molina signed off, sharing how this win would boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming games.

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Mohun Bagan Super GiantNorthEast United FC2024-2025 Jose Francisco Molina