Mohun Bagan SG vs Chennaiyin FC: Manvir Singh Seals Late 1-0 Win in Kolkata
Image: Pixel Sports\Debjoy Biswas
Kolkata, October 26: Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday, with Manvir Singh scoring the decisive goal in the 85th minute. The contest remained closely fought for most of the evening, with both goalkeepers producing important saves and Chennaiyin coming closest to breaking the deadlock before the Mariners found the breakthrough late in the second half.
Chennaiyin started positively and created the better openings in the early stages. Nikola Stojanović tried his luck from distance, while Brison Fernandes and Irfan Yadwad both went close to putting the visitors ahead. Fernandes sent an effort narrowly wide from inside the box, and Yadwad headed just off target from a Stojanović cross as Chennaiyin looked to make their early pressure count.
Mohun Bagan gradually began to settle into the match and created chances of their own. Samir Zeljković tested Mohammad Nawaz, while Alberto Rodríguez missed from close range following a corner. At the other end, Vishal Kaith was called into action to deny Yadwad and Madih Talal, while Nawaz made saves from Lee Erwin and Dejan Dražić as both sides went into the interval with the score still 0-0.
The Mariners made a change at half-time, introducing Sahal Abdul Samad in place of Lallianzuala Chhangte, before Anirudh Thapa replaced Zeljković early in the second half. Chennaiyin continued to pose a threat, with Kaith making further saves from Yadwad and Ramon, while Namgyal Bhutia and Fernandes both sent efforts narrowly off target.
Both teams turned to their benches as the match entered its final phase. Bryce Miranda came on for Fernandes for Chennaiyin, while Mohun Bagan introduced Subhasish Bose for Rahul Bheke. The visitors later brought on Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu and S Prakadeswaran for Ayush Chhetri and Yadwad as they continued to search for a way through.
The match remained finely balanced, with Nawaz denying Erwin and Manvir, while Chennaiyin continued to threaten on the counter. Stojanović came closest to scoring when his left-footed effort, set up by Prakadeswaran, struck the crossbar. Kaith then made another important save to keep the scores level as Chennaiyin pressed for the opening goal.
Mohun Bagan made two more changes in the closing stages, bringing on Liston Colaço and Abhishek Suryavanshi for Deepak Tangri and Dražić. The move had an immediate impact as Colaço delivered a cross into the box and Manvir reacted well to finish from close range with his chest in the 85th minute.
The late goal proved decisive. Chennaiyin had created enough opportunities to make the contest difficult for the hosts, but Kaith’s saves and the visitors’ effort off the crossbar kept the Mariners in the game. Mohun Bagan held firm through the closing minutes to secure all three points at home.
