Last Updated:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Hyderabad FC 3-0 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League.
ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan SG beat Hyderabad FC (FSDL)
Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Hyderabad FC 3-0 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.
Jason Cummings and Tom Aldred scored as Stefan Sapic netted an own goal as the Mariners stayed top of the points table.
Free tickets meant Mariners filled the stands to the brim as Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC took the field in the New Year.
Goalkeepers took the spotlight with their mistakes in the early exchanges.
Vishal Kaith almost took a bit too long to sort out his feet but managed to avert the danger with a last-ditch clearance from a pass back.
Arshdeep Singh, at the other end, was not too lucky as his mistake cost Hyderabad the lead in the ninth minute. A brilliant move from Liston Colaco from the left saw Jason Cummings and Jamie Maclaren draw out the defenders as the pass went across to Sahal Abdul Samad.
His first-time volleyed shot was parried somehow by the keeper but the ball ended up hitting his defender Stefan Sapic’s face and trickled into the back of the net.
Another mistake could have doubled Mohun Bagan’s lead in the 17th minute.
Anirudh Thapa stole possession and played in for Jamie Maclaren, who side-stepped the last defender as well as the keeper. With only the empty net, the Aussie forward hit the right post from a tight angle.
Mohun Bagan could have scored more but their own mistakes cost them Liston twice found himself in space and with a chance to send a winning pass. The Indian winger could not manage the simple passes.
Mohun Bagan’s second did finally come in the 41st minute.
After Liston was felled just outside the box, he decided to take the free-kick as well. His swerving effort was swatted away by Arshdeep. Liston picked up the loose ball too and sent in a tempting cross. Three Hyderabad players missed the cross at the front post as Tom Aldred swopped in to head the ball in.
Confusion followed when the linesman had his flag up for off-side. The referee rushed over to the corner flag. Replays showed Sapic had touched the ball before Aldred and the goal stood.
Soon after the restart, Mohun Bagan added their third of the night. In the 51st minute, Jason Cummings finished off a weighted pass from Jamie Maclaren brilliantly with a left-footed finish.
Mohun Bagan did not relent as they pressed on for more goals with inexperienced Hyderabad FC looking helpless at the back. Liston the culprit repeatedly with the misses.
Hyderabad FC made wholesale changes as the likes of Ayush Adhikari, Allan Paulista, Muhammed Rafi and Abijith PA almost made an immediate impact. Mohun Bagan’s timely course correction to play according to the situation made sure nothing came of the visitor’s chances.
Jose Molina decided to answer in kind to Hyderabad’s fresh legs, bringing on Greg Stewart along with Abhishek Suryavanshi and Suhail Bhat.
Hyderabad FC had a golden chance to get a goal back in the 84th minute.
Muhammed Rafi found Allan Paulista at the far post from the right as Tom Alred slipped trying to get the cross headed clear. Kaith though stood up to somehow block Allan’s shot to keep Mohun Bagan’s clean sheet.
In added time after 90, Abdul Rabeeh found Abijith inside the box with a lucky cut back but the former’s shot went wide from inside the six-yard as the game ended in the Green and Maroon’s favour.