In a thrilling encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday, Mohun Bagan SG edged past Bengaluru FC with a brilliant goal by Liston Colaco in the 74th minute, securing a 1-0 victory. The match seemed destined to end in a stalemate as Bengaluru’s solid defense repeatedly thwarted Bagan’s attacking threats. Defender Rahul Bheke was particularly dominant, winning key aerial duels and clearing the danger when Bagan’s Scottish playmaker, Greg Stewart, delivered a dangerous cross into the box.
However, Colaco had other plans. As the ball drifted towards the edge of the box, Colaco met it with a powerful right-footer, sending it past BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and into the back of the net. The sensational goal was enough for Jose Molina’s side to extend their lead at the top of the table, now sitting comfortably with 40 points from 18 matches.
For Bengaluru FC, January has been a month to forget. Despite some promising play and a strong start to the match, they remain winless this month, having lost 4 of their 5 games. With only 28 points and six rounds remaining, they face an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot, after previously stunning Bagan with a 3-0 win in the first-leg fixture.
The match also saw Bagan fans unfurling a 340-foot tifo, celebrating the club’s historical ties to India’s freedom movement. Despite their dominance, Mohun Bagan struggled initially, with key players like Stewart failing to find their usual rhythm. However, the brilliance of Colaco turned the game in their favor, ensuring the hosts remained unbeaten at home and maintained their place atop the standings.
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