Mumbai City FC defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 Cup Winners on Saturday. (PHOTO: ISL Media)
Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 Cup Winners at the final in Kolkata. The Islanders came from behind after Jason Cummings handed the Mariners a lead late in the first half. Second half strikes by Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh, and Jakub Vojtus ensured that the Petr Kratky-coached side settled the scores against the home side in front of a capacity crowd to draw curtains on the 10th season of the ISL.
In proceedings slightly identical to the final of ISL 2020-21, when both these teams had squared off in the summit clash, a similar hero came up, as Bipin Singh notched an 81st minute strike to help his men avenge the loss that they succumbed to in the title decider at this very venue. In the first-ever ISL grand finale held in Kolkata, Mumbai City FC returned the happier of the two teams winning their second ISL final, with both of them coming against the Mariners.
Both sides treaded a cautious line in the opening half, focusing on holding their shape, playing to their strengths, and not giving away too much to work on for the opposition. However, Mohun Bagan Super Giant drew first blood thanks to their fierce offensive duo of Dimitrios Petratos and Cummings.
Petratos hasn’t been afraid to test his luck from distance often in this campaign. As the opening essay of the game was concluding, he unleashed a shot that caught Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa off-guard. The custodian fumbled the effort; with Cummings present right there like a fox in the box to bury the chance in the 44th minute and ensure that his team entered the break with a lead in hand.
The Islanders naturally decided to shake things up in the second half. They adopted newer tactics, involving a long ball from Alberto Noguera to their Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz eight minutes into the second half. Diaz’s sharp offensive instincts were right there on display, calmly bringing the ball down, steering near Vishal Kaith and slotting the ball into the back of the net to equalise the scores.
An unfortunate knock picked by Diaz in the 72nd minute opened the floodgates for the comeback by the visitors. As the striker was taken off the field, Slovak striker Vojtus replaced him and was central to both the goals that Mumbai City FC scored after that.
ISL 2023-24 Final Results
Mumbai City FC 3 (Jorge Pereyra Diaz 53’, Bipin Singh 81’, Jakub Vojtus 90+7’) – 1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Jason Cummings 44’)
ISL 2023-24 Season Awards
Golden Glove – Phurba Lachenpa (Mumbai City FC)
Golden Boot – Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)
Emerging Player of the League – Vikram Partap Singh (Mumbai City FC)
Player of the League – Dimitrios Petratos (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)
