February 25, Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: As the first side to successfully retain the League Shield, Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) made a lasting impression on Indian Super League (ISL) history. According to the official ISL website, the Mariners (MBSG) understood that a win against Odisha FC in their last home game of the league phase would solidify their top status with two league games remaining.

In a night filled with hardships, the Mariners delivered. The task was enormous, the pressure was evident, but the reward of raising the Shield in front of their home fans was too tremendous to deny.

From the first whistle, it was clear that they were determined to take advantage of the opportunity. With a clear goal in mind, Mohun Bagan SG took control of possession and created opportunity after opportunity. Jamie Maclaren, an Australian striker, was the highlight of the first half after missing many golden-edged chances. He often put the backline of Odisha FC to the test, his movement precise and his intention obvious. The ball would not, however, reach the back of the goal.

To their credit, Odisha FC remained steadfast. As they dug deep to withstand the unrelenting waves of Mohun Bagan SG’s onslaught, their tenacity angered the hosts. Amrinder Singh, the goalkeeper, had a heroic shift between the posts, repeatedly thwarting Maclaren and his colleagues. The home audience was excited yet nervous as the scoreboard stayed the same going into halftime despite the Mariners’ advantage.

The writing for the second half was similar. Using deft maneuvers, accurate crosses, and long-range shots, Mohun Bagan SG persisted in applying pressure. Odisha FC, however, resisted breaking. For the Mariners, it was a test of patience that required tenacity. Both players’ and supporters’ expressions showed their anguish, as every missed chance appeared to make their quest for the Shield even more elusive.

Then the magical moment arrived. Despite Mourtada Fall’s late dismissal, Odisha FC seemed to have done enough to salvage a point deep into injury time, but replacement Dimitri Petratos stepped up to the plate. When the Australian attacker was brought in late in the match, he immediately had an effect. Having a little window of opportunity outside the box, Petratos broke the stalemate with a clean finish past Amrinder Singh. And the ecstasy burst out instantly. Known for his cool-headedness, head coach Jose Molina was spotted punching the air with joy as the home fans exploded and the bench jumped in celebration.

Odisha FC, who had defended valiantly throughout ninety minutes, was devastated. They could have been entitled to a portion of the winnings on an other day, but Mohun Bagan SG was unquestionably the superior squad that evening. They had set up the opportunities, controlled the pace, and repeatedly knocked on the door until it opened.

After their 16th victory in 22 games, Mohun Bagan SG completed the League Shield with this triumph. An incredible accomplishment for a team that had seen major changes at the beginning of the season. Expectations, a new head coach, and new players didn’t stop them from achieving their objective, as they only suffered two losses throughout the season.

The fact that they have consistently produced results throughout the campaign adds even more significance to their accomplishment. Ten of their 16 victories were by a score of one or two goals, demonstrating their capacity to perform well under pressure. That is the difference between champions and outstanding teams. Getting the job done was more important than playing beautiful football all the time.

In Kolkata, it’s party time for the time being. The Mariners have given their supporters another memorable evening and another treasured shield.