The 10th season of the Indian Super League concluded in dramatic fashion in Kolkata on Saturday as Mumbai City FC staged a magnificent comeback to defeat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 and lift their second ISL title.
In a repeat of the 2021 final between the two sides, Jason Cummings gave Mohun Bagan the lead just before half time. However, the Islanders turned the game on its head in the second half through goals from Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh and Jakub Vojtus to complete an excellent comeback victory in front of a packed crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The first half saw both sides cancel each other out with few clear goalscoring chances. However, Mohun Bagan struck in the dying moments of the half through Cummings. The striker was on hand to poke home from close range after Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa could only parry a long-range effort into his path.
Needing to come from behind after the break, Mumbai coach Kratky made some tactical changes that proved decisive. Argentine striker Diaz brought the scores level in the 53rd minute, calmly slotting home from close range after being picked out by a pinpoint long ball from Alberto Noguera.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side when an injury to Diaz opened the floodgates. His replacement Vojtus was involved in both Mumbai's next goals, first setting up Bipin to fire into the bottom corner from inside the box in the 81st minute. The Slovakian then got on the scoresheet himself in stoppage time to complete the comeback.
So in a repeat of three years ago, Mumbai emerged as champions, thanks to their never-say-die attitude and ability to turn the game on its head after the interval. Petr Kratky can be immensely proud of how his team battled back to script an incredible victory and lift the ISL trophy for the second time.
