Indian Super League: Bengaluru To Clash With Mohun Bagan In Final (image:x.com/bengalurufc)
After two stoppage-time finishes in the semifinals, Bengaluru FC will face Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in the final of Indian Super League (ISL). The title clash will be held at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata at 7:30 PM on Saturday.
The second leg matches of the semifinals gave dramatic vibes for the fans with both games hanging in the balance until the injury time. In the first game on April 6, Bengaluru FC had almost spoiled their first-leg two-goal lead against FC Goa when the latter netted their second in the 88th minute. It was their talisman Sunil Chhetri’s header in the 92th minute that dramatically secured Bengaluru’s spot in the final. A day later, another nail biting finish happened in VYBK when the home team MBSG pulled off the winner by Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte, in the 94th minute against Jamshedpur FC. They had entered the second-leg trailing 2-1 to Jamshedpur.
The summit clash, hence, most likely to be even tidy when both teams bring strong form into the final. MBSG are eyeing their fifth ISL title having already secured the League Shield this season, becoming the first team to defend it successfully. They won their record four titles in 2014,2016,2020 and 2023, respectively.
This season, MBSG have been dominant across all departments, collecting a record 56 points, scoring the most goals (50), conceding the fewest (18), and registering the highest number of clean sheets (16). With the final being played on their home ground, where they remain unbeaten in their last seven matches, José Molina’s men will have a definite edge over the Blues.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, likely to create huge challenge for the Kolkata team, given their storming displays at the end of the league phase. Gerard Zaragoza’s men were in thumping form at the beginning, where they registered five consecutive wins and clean sheets before falling down miserably midway, losing four out of their five games. Sunil Chhetri’s team, however, cruised to third place after climbing out of the elimination zone in the bottom seven, with three wins and a draw in their last five matches. The 2019 champions eventually got past Mumbai City FC and FC Goa on their way to the final.
Adding to the excitement is the tactical battle between two Spanish masterminds on the touchline, which promises to make the final of the 11th edition of the ISL even more thrilling.
(This story is part of a Timeline internship project)
