Mohun Bagan fans were left heartbroken as their beloved team suffered a shocking defeat in the Durand Cup final at the Salt Lake Stadium yesterday. Despite taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half, NorthEast United staged a stunning comeback, equalising 2-2 and ultimately winning 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout. The hero of the shootout was Gurmeet Singh, who saved attempts from both Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose, allowing the Highlanders to lift their first-ever major title.
The final result left Bagan supporters stunned and disappointed, as their team failed to defend the title. However, it was not just the result that raised eyebrows—several aspects of the Mariners’ gameplay, along with some questionable decisions by head coach Jose Molina, drew significant criticism after the match. These key moments proved to be crucial, contributing to Bagan’s eventual defeat. Here is a closer look at what might have gone wrong:
Defensive errors and Alberto Rodriguez’s injury
As expected, Molina opted for a back-three formation with Alberto Rodriguez, Tom Aldred, and Subhasish Bose starting in defence. Mohun Bagan’s defensive errors had been a topic of concern since their quarterfinal clash against Punjab, where they conceded three goals, and again in the semifinal against Bengaluru FC, where they conceded two. However, ahead of the final, Bagan’s Spanish coach downplayed any issues.
The team started well, but just before halftime, Alberto was troubled by cramps, forcing Molina to substitute him with Asish Rai. This substitution marked the beginning of Bagan’s downfall. Aldred was left to manage the centre-back duties alone and struggled, frequently misjudging passes and positioning. NorthEast United capitalised on these weaknesses, with Jithin M.S., Alaaeddine Ajaraie, and Guillermo Fernandez and scored two goals within three minutes. Including this game, Mohun Bagan’s defence has now conceded seven goals in their last three matches.
Overreliance on Liston Colaco, Underutilisation of Manvir Singh in the attack
The Green and Maroon brigade played some beautiful football in the first half, thanks to the efforts of Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco. Colaco was one of the standout performers in the tournament, contributing with an assist and proving once again why he excels against the Highlanders, with 11 goal involvements in 11 matches.
However, the second half revealed a tactical flaw. The maximum of Bagan’s attacks were built up through the left flank, where Colaco operated. Known for his pace and creativity, Colaco’s play became predictable, and NorthEast coach Juan Pedro Benali adapted with a solid defensive plan. Liston struggled to break through, and NorthEast began to counterattack effectively from the opposite flank, where Manvir Singh was deployed but largely ineffective in attack.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
Instead, Manvir was mostly involved in defensive duties, which led to both goals being conceded from his side. Ajaraie was left unmarked to score the first, and he later provided a perfect cross for Guillermo to volley home the second.
Tactical error regarding Sahal Abdul Samad’s substitution
Sahal was a key player in the first half, winning the penalty that gave Bagan an early lead and then scoring from a Colaco cross. Surprisingly, Molina decided to substitute him in the second half, bringing on Dimitri Petratos in his place.
The substitution backfired as Bagan lost their shape, allowing NorthEast to exploit the extra space and gain control of the match. In the post-match press conference, Molina admitted his regret over the decision, stating that he expected Petratos to make an impact but acknowledged that Sahal should have stayed on the pitch for at least another 10-15 minutes.
Lack of finishing and missed opportunities
Despite conceding two quick goals, Mohun Bagan had ample chances to seal the victory with another goal or two. However, their inability to convert those opportunities proved costly. Even in the first half, Bagan could have scored an additional goal to put the game beyond reach.
The failure to capitalise on chances has been a recurring issue for Molina’s side throughout the tournament. Greg Stewart, Jason Cummings, and Petratos led the attack but failed to find the back of the net again. This lack of clinical finishing ultimately hurt Bagan, who need to be more ruthless in front of goal.
Surprising selection decisions
Molina raised eyebrows with his selection choices, opting to start Stewart over fan-favourite Petratos. In the semifinal against Bengaluru, Petratos started and played excellently, providing quality balls into the box. Stewart came on in the second half and contributed to the team’s pressing attacks.
However, in the final, Stewart struggled to make an impact, visibly exhausted by the intense heat. Molina’s decision to bench Petratos from the start was questioned, as the Australian could have offered more in the final. Additionally, the exclusion of Dippendu Biswas, who performed admirably in the semifinal, particularly after Alberto’s injury, left fans frustrated and baffled.
Had these decisions gone differently, the outcome might have favoured the Green and Maroon brigade. But credit must be given to NorthEast United, who thoroughly deserved their first-ever title with a strong performance throughout the tournament.
For Mohun Bagan, this Durand Cup was always a preparatory competition for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) and AFC Champions League 2. Although they missed out on a trophy in front of their home crowd, this loss will only motivate them in the future. There are several areas that Molina needs to address, and hopefully, by the start of these major tournaments, Mohun Bagan will be ready and raring to go.
Also Read: Rubina Francis winning a Paralympics pistol bronze medal is path-breaking