The frustration was growing with every passing minute. It was one of those games. Mohun Bagan Super Giants could have scored 6-7 goals and yet, they had just scored one from a penalty. Jamshedpur FC were hanging on and there was every chance of the match going into extra time. In fact, it seemed both teams had kind of reconciled to that as the pace had drooped.
That’s when it happened. Apuia from near 25 yards unleashed a screamer. For the 50,000 fans, it literally took a second to come to terms with what happened. Albino, who had pulled off 25 saves perhaps, in this match alone, had no chance. He lay slumped on the grass and Jamshedpur, who had defended all night, had finally fallen.
The truth is Mohun Bagan was a better team. And after what happened in Jamshedpur (a 1-2 defeat in the first leg of this ISL semi-final), the players had to do it for the fans. To give it back to their fans for being there for them all season. This is one victory that belongs to every fan, who was abused and got hurt. As Jamie Maclaren had said to me, “We will play for them tonight. They need to be there and support.”
Every MBSG fan was there. As was Rishabh Pant and Justin Langer. Pant must have felt he had come to an IPL game. How can this level of fandom be seen in Indian football? But then, this is Kolkata and this is MBSG.
The defeat has been avenged. The insults have been dealt with. A statement has indeed been made. But the job is still unfinished. Sunil Chhetri will be in Kolkata soon and on April 12, another classic awaits. Mohun Bagan versus Bengaluru FC is always an epic battle and the ISL couldn’t have asked for a better climax.
For Apuia, it was the goal of the season. An Indian scoring with a screamer like this. May be not all is lost for Indian football.