ISL 2024-25: Maclaren's lightning strike secures Mohun Bagan 1-0 victory over East Bengal
Xtra Time Web Desk: Big matches are often about transforming zeroes into heroes and vice versa. Under fire for recent poor form, Australian World Cupper Jamie Maclaren delivered in spectacular fashion, scoring the fastest goal in an ISL derby to lead Mohun Bagan to a 1-0 victory over East Bengal in Guwahati.
The Match Highlights
Coach Jose Molina fielded both Australian World Cuppers Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings in his lineup, while Oscar Bruzon opted for Cleiton Silva and Diamantakos up front for East Bengal. The match began with a bang as Ashish Rai set up Maclaren, who calmly netted the opener in just 90 seconds. This marked Maclaren’s third goal in as many derby appearances this season, reinforcing his reputation as a big-match player.
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East Bengal nearly equalized moments later when Cleiton Silva, combining brilliantly with David in the box, was thwarted by Tom Aldred’s exceptional tackle. Despite multiple chances to double their lead, Mohun Bagan’s Manvir Singh missed a golden opportunity.
Controversy and Resilience
Just before halftime, an apparent handball by Mohun Bagan's Apuiya inside the box went unpunished, leaving East Bengal fuming. The first half ended 1-0 in Mohun Bagan's favor.
In the second half, East Bengal came out aggressively, pressing hard for an equalizer. However, Mohun Bagan’s defense, led by Aldred, Alberto, and Subhasish, held firm. In the 64th minute, East Bengal’s Souvik Chakrabarti received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men. Mohun Bagan capitalized on their numerical advantage but failed to add to their tally.
Despite being a man down, East Bengal fought valiantly in the final 15 minutes, with Clayton Silva, Diamantakos, and Bishnu getting close. However, Mohun Bagan’s solid backline denied them any breakthrough.
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Maclaren’s lightning-fast goal sealed the win for Mohun Bagan, keeping them firmly at the top of the ISL table. They now lead second-placed Bengaluru FC by eight points, strengthening their claim for the league title.
