Mumbai City FC lift ISL title
MUMBAI CITY FC defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 cup winner at the final in Kolkata on Saturday (4).
The Islanders came from behind after Jason Cummings handed the Mariners a lead late in the first half. Second-half strikes by Jorge Pereyra Diaz (53), Bipin Singh (81), and Jakub Vojtus (90+6) ensured that the Petr Kratky-coached side settled the scores against the home side in front of a capacity crowd to draw curtains on the landmark 10th season of the ISL.
In proceedings slightly identical to the final of ISL 2020-21, when both these teams had squared off in the summit clash, a similar hero came up, as Bipin Singh notched an 81st-minute strike to help his men avenge the loss that they succumbed to, in the title decider at this very venue. In the first-ever ISL grand finale held in Kolkata, Mumbai City FC returned the happier of the two teams winning their second ISL final, with both of them coming against the Mariners.
Kratky revealed his side kept the belief that they could make a comeback despite trailing in the game.
‘We just tried to stay positive and keep believing. As soon as we scored the first one we knew that we were on a good pathway. We scored the second and the third and we knew we were done,’ he said in the post-match press conference.
Mumbai City FC lost the League Shield to Mohun Bagan SG but redeemed themselves with this win. They now have two ISL Cups to their name as well as two League Shields.