At Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday, Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Punjab FC 3-0 in their ISL 2024–25 encounter with to goals from Jamie Maclaren and Liston Colaco.
The Mariners currently have 46 points from 20 games, 12 points ahead of second-place Jamshedpur FC, who have played two fewer games, and the victory increased their prospects of keeping the League Shield.
The league leaders secured all three points with a slick finish from Liston Colaco in the 63rd minute and a spectacular brace from Jamie Maclaren in the 56th and 90th minutes of the second half. Additionally, it was their 12th clean sheet of the current season and their ninth straight victory at home.
The Mariners made some risky moves down the middle with Greg Stewart to start the game with a lot of style and flair. When he forced a save from Ravi Kumar in the tenth minute, the Scotsman had a fantastic chance to give the home team the lead.
Before the drinks break, the hosts failed to generate enough openings and penetrate the Punjab FC defense despite their early momentum.
Just before the interval, Mohun Bagan had a fantastic opportunity to score a quick counterattack that got past the Punjab FC defense. Liston raced after a ricochet and attempted a long-range shot, but the strike was weak and did not threaten goalkeeper Ravi Kumar.
At the beginning of the second half, Jose Molina changed the Mariners’ backline by substituting Ashique Kuruniyan with Asish Rai. Ashique moved to left-back, Dippendu Biswas moved to right-back, and Subhasish Bose and Alberto Rodriguez moved to center-back.
In the 55th minute, Ezequiel Vidal was set up on the left flank by Abhishek Meetei, giving Punjab FC their best opportunity of the match. In the penalty area, the Argentine spotted Petros Giakoumakis in the open. But on its way out, the Greek forward’s final attempt hit the post.
With a spectacular goal from Maclaren in the 56th minute, Mohun Bagan Super Giant made Punjab FC pay a minute later. Dippendu’s cross from the right side set the tone, as Maclaren calmly controlled the ball before putting it past Ravi Kumar and into the net.
In the 63rd minute, Liston neatly placed the ball into the net from a tight angle after sprinting down the left flank, doubling the home team’s lead. It was more difficult to defend because of Stewart’s presence in the area, which put more strain on the Punjab FC defenders and goalie Ravi.
Asish Pradhan’s heavy touch in a hazardous area gave Cummings the opportunity to regain possession, which made matters worse for the visitors. In the ninetieth minute, he smoothly tucked it past Ravi after he had swiftly transferred it to Maclaren.
