ISL 2023-24: Vishal Kaith's heroics, Mohun Bagan's dominance and other talking points

Mohun Bagan go to the top of the ISL table after this crucial win.

Mohun Bagan handed a resounding defeat to East Bengal in the Indian Super League (ISL) Kolkata Derby, securing a commanding 3-1 victory at the Salt Lake Stadium. Despite East Bengal’s promising start in the first half, the momentum shifted dramatically after Clieton Silva’s penalty miss, paving the way for Mohun Bagan to capitalize with three goals before halftime. Jason Cummings, Liston Colaco, and Dimitri Petratos netted goals for Mohun Bagan, while Saul Crespo managed to score the solitary goal for East Bengal.

With 36 points, Mohun Bagan is poised to claim the top spot on the table, positioning themselves favorably as strong contenders for the ISL shield.

On that note, let us take a look at the talking points from the Kolkata Derby.

5. Lack of attacking intent from East Bengal in the first-half

The beginning of the game saw East Bengal in a strong position, effectively pressing high up the pitch and earning a penalty. However, their momentum shifted after Cleiton failed to convert the penalty. Subsequently, Mohun Bagan took control, with East Bengal adopting a defensive stance deep in their half.

This defensive strategy proved costly as Mohun Bagan capitalized, scoring three goals in the first half. Although East Bengal tried to break on the counter, the lack of attacking mentality was evident in Carles’s side.

4. Vishal Kaith’s heroics

In the first half, Vishal Kaith committed a critical error by colliding with Silva, failing to make contact with the ball and conceding a very poor penalty. However, he redeemed himself by making a brilliant save to deny Silva from the spot. Furthermore, Kaith showcased exceptional reflexes in the second half by thwarting a remarkable header from Cleiton.

This high-level performance not only saved his team but also contributed significantly to maintaining their lead. Besides the penalty blunder, Vishal was too good under the bars for his team.

3. Mohun Bagan’s dominant performance

The Mariners displayed an impressive performance right from the beginning of the match, showcasing relentless pressure in the opposition half and consistently winning duels. Jason Cummings initiated the scoring by seizing an opportunity where Gill was unable to secure the ball, allowing Cummings to slot it into the net. Mohun Bagan was in full stride launching consecutive attacks into the East Bengal defense. The second and third goals were scored by Liston Colaco and Dimi Petratos. Consistently outperforming their opponents, they proved to be the superior team throughout the match, fully deserving their victory in this crucial fixture.

2. East Bengal’s Sloppy defense

The Red and Gold Brigade will express considerable dissatisfaction with their defensive performance in this match. East Bengal’s new foreign recruit Aleksandar Pantic displayed a very poor performance and was very casual with his man marking which in turn cost his team.

A lot of communication gap during the first half allowed Mohun Bagan to capitalize and score goals. The defense left excessive space on the wings, and Mohun Bagan exploited this vulnerability with attacks originating from the flanks. The lack of proper marking inside the box was evident, with players seemingly ball-watching instead of effectively tracking their opponents.

1. East Bengal’s fighting spirit in the second half

East Bengal was a very different side in the second half. In the second half, East Bengal exhibited a resurgence in confidence by adopting a more aggressive approach on the ball and intensifying their press in the opponent’s half.

Despite creating numerous opportunities, they could only convert one, with Saul Crespo netting the solitary goal for the team. Unfortunately, this lone goal proved insufficient to secure a positive result in the thrilling encounter, as they ultimately succumbed to their arch-rivals.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.