Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Manuel Cascallana expressed satisfaction with his team's performance following a commanding victory over Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Thursday. 

The match, held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, marked Bengaluru FC's final league game of the season, where Mohun Bagan SG delivered a humbling defeat to the Blues. Hector Yuste initiated the scoring for the Mariners in the first half, followed by three additional goals after the break, courtesy of Manvir Singh, Anirudh Thapa, and Armando Sadiku, all scored within eight minutes. 

This victory marked the 14th win of the season for the Mariners, equalling Mumbai City FC's record for the most wins secured this season. 

“We did an amazing job today in Bengaluru. The plan was perfect. We knew we had to be calm inside the first 20-25 minutes.. We wanted to counter attack a lot.. So we kept calm. We scored with an opportunity and in the second half we kept going during the counter attacks and transitions.. So the plan was perfect. I’m happy with the players, the substitutes with all the players. It’s still in our hands, on Monday we have the big final in Kolkata,” Cascallana stated in the post-match press conference.  

Despite Bengaluru FC's dominance in ball possession, they only managed to produce two shots on target throughout the entire game. In contrast, Mohun Bagan SG unleashed eight shots on target. 

Bengaluru FC had an opportunity to equalise the scores when they received a penalty towards the end of the first half, but Sunil Chhetri's spot kick struck the crossbar, denying them the chance to level the game.

“We were more clinical in the final third. It was more or less the same opportunities (for both teams) in the first half but we couldn’t score,” the Spaniard said. 

“But that was the difference in the second half and we killed the game in five minutes. I think we were in good form. And that was enough to win the game, keep the ball, make substitutions to rest important players for the big game (against Mumbai City FC),” he added. 

Mohun Bagan SG is gearing up for their last league match, where they will go head-to-head against the current league leaders, Mumbai City FC, in Kolkata. This decisive encounter will determine the winner of the Shield. 

With a two-point deficit behind the Islanders, Mohun Bagan SG must secure a victory in their final game to clinch the Shield title, something they have never attained before.

“If we win, we will also be champions (of the league). It depends on us. We will go and prepare good again. We will try and get three points for our supporters,” Cascallana signed off.  

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Mohun Bagan Super GiantBengaluru FC2023-2024