February 23rd 2025.
On a historic Sunday in Kolkata, Mohun Bagan Super Giant etched their names in the record books, becoming the first team in Indian Super League history to defend their title. In a thrilling match against Odisha FC, it was Dimitrios Petratos' goal in the added time that sealed their victory in front of their jubilant home crowd at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium.
The Australian forward struck in the third minute of added time, sending the spectators into a frenzy and securing their spot in the AFC Champions League 2, the second-tier club competition in Asia. This also marked their second consecutive League Shield, having won it in the previous 2023-24 season.
With 52 points in their kitty, Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged as the undisputed Shield Winners with two matches to spare. Their closest competitors, FC Goa, were no match as they could only manage 42 points from 21 matches, making it mathematically impossible for them to catch up even if they won their remaining three games.
Under the guidance of coach Jose Molina, MBSG has had a stellar season, recording 16 wins, 4 draws, and only 2 losses. After a cautious start, Odisha FC finally found an opening in the Mariners' defence in the 19th minute, but Rahul KP's powerful shot failed to hit the target. However, the visitors' goalkeeper, Amrinder Singh, was kept on his toes as the home team launched multiple attacks, with Jamie Maclaren and Greg Stewart coming close to scoring.
The second half saw Stewart continuing to test the Juggernauts, but a mistake from Mourtada Fall proved to be the turning point of the match. The Odisha FC defender brought down Maclaren in the box, resulting in a red card and reducing the visitors to 10 men. And it was Petratos who once again proved to be the hero, scoring a spectacular goal in the added time to seal the game and the championship for Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
The home team's fans erupted in joy, celebrating their team's remarkable achievement in defending their title and securing a spot in the prestigious AFC Champions League 2. It was a well-deserved victory for the Mariners, who have been consistent throughout the season and have shown their prowess on both the offensive and defensive fronts.
As the celebrations continued in Kolkata, Mohun Bagan Super Giant basked in the glory of their triumph, etching their names in Indian football history. It was a moment to remember and cherish for the players, the coach, and the fans, as they proved that they are indeed worthy of being called the Super Giants of Indian football.
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