Football

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), a prominent Indian football club, has received recognition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for its withdrawal from the AFC Champions League 2 match against Tractor FC in Iran last month. The club cited concerns over player safety and security amidst the volatile situation in the West Asian nation.The AFC initially withdrew MBSG from the tournament pending a decision on the matter. However, after reviewing the club's appeal, the AFC Competitions Committee has now acknowledged the force majeure event. This means that MBSG will not face any penalties under clause 5.7 of the AFC Champions League 2 Competition Regulations.However, as per clauses 5.5 and 5.6 of the regulations, MBSG remains withdrawn from the tournament for the ongoing season. The club was scheduled to face Tractor FC on October 2 in a Group A match of the ACL, the continent's second-tier club competition.MBSG's decision to withdraw was prompted by the players' reluctance to travel to Iran following the death of a prominent general of the Revolutionary Guard in an Israeli air strike. The situation escalated with Iran launching missiles on Israel, heightening political tensions between the two countries.The AFC had previously rescheduled matches across its tournaments due to the security situation in Iran. However, MBSG accused the continental football body of "unequal treatment" after it was withdrawn from competitions while other matches were rescheduled.The recognition of MBSG's force majeure event by the AFC is a significant development. It acknowledges the club's concerns for player safety and security and ensures that it will not face any penalties for its withdrawal. However, MBSG's withdrawal from the tournament for the ongoing season remains a disappointment for the club and its fans.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Hyderabad FC, securing a 2-0 triumph in the Indian Super League. The Mariners' victory propelled them to second place in the standings, trailing only Bengaluru FC by three points.The match commenced with a cautious approach from both teams, but Mohun Bagan seized the initiative in the 37th minute. Anirudh Thapa's incisive through ball found Manvir Singh, who displayed exceptional composure to round goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte and slot home the opening goal.Hyderabad FC attempted to respond, but Mohun Bagan's defense remained resolute. The Mariners extended their lead in the 55th minute through a well-executed free-kick. Greg Stewart's perfectly weighted delivery was met by Subhasish Bose, who headed the ball into the net.The second half saw Mohun Bagan adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on maintaining their advantage. Hyderabad FC pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but the Mariners' defense held firm.Mohun Bagan's victory was a testament to their clinical finishing and disciplined defense. Manvir Singh's goal was his fifth against Hyderabad FC, while Bose's header marked his first goal of the season.The Mariners' triumph was a significant boost to their title aspirations. They have now won four of their last five matches and are well-positioned to challenge for the championship. Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to improve their form.

Mohun Bagan Triumphs Over East Bengal in ISL 2024 ClashIn a highly anticipated Indian Super League (ISL) encounter, Mohun Bagan emerged victorious over arch-rivals East Bengal with a 2-0 scoreline on Saturday. The Mariners' triumph propelled them to second place in the standings, while East Bengal remained winless after five matches and languished at the bottom of the table.The match commenced with both teams eager to assert their dominance. However, it was Mohun Bagan who seized the initiative in the 41st minute when Jamie McLaren capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home the opening goal. The Mariners maintained their momentum in the second half, and their efforts were rewarded in the 89th minute when Dimitri Petratos converted a penalty to seal the victory.East Bengal, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to find a breakthrough against a resolute Mohun Bagan defense. The Red and Golds' winless streak extended to five games, leaving them in a precarious position at the foot of the table.Mohun Bagan's victory was a testament to their superior quality and tactical acumen. McLaren's clinical finish and Petratos' composure from the spot proved decisive in securing the three points. The Mariners' defense, led by Sandesh Jhingan, was equally impressive, thwarting East Bengal's attacking threats throughout the match.East Bengal, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around. Their lack of goals and defensive frailties have been glaring in the early stages of the season. The Red and Golds will be desperate to break their winless streak in their upcoming fixtures and climb out of the relegation zone.The ISL 2024 season promises to be an enthralling affair, with several more exciting matches to come. Mohun Bagan's victory over East Bengal has set the tone for a competitive and unpredictable campaign.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Indian football club, has been deemed to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League 2 after declining to travel to Iran for their match against Tractor FC. The decision was made due to concerns over the safety and security of the players amidst the volatile situation in Iran at the time.According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Mohun Bagan's withdrawal is in accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League 2 Competition Regulations. As a result, all matches played by the club have been canceled and declared null and void. The points and goals from these matches will not be considered in determining the final rankings in Group A.Mohun Bagan's decision to withdraw came after 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, expressed their unwillingness to travel to Iran. The club subsequently wrote to the AFC, requesting a rescheduling or relocation of the match to a neutral venue. However, the request was not granted.In their first match of Group A, Mohun Bagan had played out a goalless draw against Tajikistan's FC Ravshan. The club's withdrawal from the competition is a significant setback for Indian football, as it deprives the country of representation in the continent's second-tier club competition.The matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee(s) for further decision-making. The AFC has stated that the safety and security of players is paramount and that it will take appropriate measures to ensure the well-being of all participants in its competitions.

Former Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri has expressed his support for defender Anwar Ali, who recently faced a four-month ban for contract violations. Chhetri urged players to avoid controversies and focus on their performance.Ali's ban stemmed from his termination of a contract with Mohun Bagan and subsequent signing with East Bengal. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) deemed his actions unjust and imposed a ban along with a compensation demand of Rs 12.90 crore.Despite the controversy, Chhetri believes Ali is a valuable asset to the national team. "He's one of the assets of the national team. I would want him to stay away from controversies as much as possible," Chhetri said.Chhetri emphasized the importance of avoiding distractions for young players. "All the national team boys, especially the ones who are upcoming and young, I want them to stay away from controversies as much as possible," he said.Chhetri also discussed his retirement from international football in June. He admitted to missing the game but is still adjusting to his new life. "It's not been nice, I miss it," he said.Chhetri expressed confidence in India head coach Manolo Marquez's ability to balance his roles with the national team and FC Goa. "He'll be able to handle it," he said. "He will know exactly what team to pick."Chhetri shared his experiences of fatherhood with fellow athlete Virat Kohli. "We talk a lot about kids, that's a common topic now," he said. However, they have not yet discussed post-retirement plans.Chhetri remains committed to playing in the Indian Super League as long as he can contribute to his club, Bengaluru FC. "As long as I'm enjoying, as long as I'm adding value to the club, I'm here," he said.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, an Indian football club, has withdrawn from their AFC Champions League match against Tractor FC in Iran due to safety concerns amid the ongoing tensions in the region. The club's decision was prompted by the unwillingness of its players to travel to Iran following the death of a prominent Iranian general in an Israeli air strike.Mohun Bagan was scheduled to face Tractor FC on Wednesday in Tabriz, Iran. However, the club received letters from its 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, expressing their reluctance to play in Iran at this time. The players cited the volatile situation in the country and the state of mourning declared by the Iranian government."We have decided to not travel to Iran keeping our players' safety and security in mind, because that is paramount," said a Mohun Bagan source. "We have also written to the ministry of external affairs as their advisory states that you can go to Iran or Israel on your own responsibility."The club has requested the Asian Football Federation (AFC) to either reschedule the match or move it to a neutral venue. Mohun Bagan had booked flights and arranged hotel accommodation for the trip, but the safety concerns of its players took precedence.In their first match of Group A, Mohun Bagan played out a goalless draw against Tajikistan's FC Ravshan. Tractor FC leads the standings with a 3-0 win over Qatar's Al-Wakrah SC.The decision by Mohun Bagan highlights the challenges faced by sports teams traveling to regions with political instability. The safety and well-being of players and staff must always be the top priority, and clubs must make informed decisions based on the latest information and advice from relevant authorities.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant's resilience shone through as they rallied from two goals down to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over NorthEast United FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.The home team endured a shaky start as NorthEast United dominated the opening half. The trio of Alaeddine Ajaraie, Guillermo Fernandez, and Jithin M.S. kept the Mohun Bagan defense on high alert, leading to a thunderous goal from midfielder Mohammed Bemmamer in the fifth minute.However, Mohun Bagan regrouped swiftly and found the equalizer in the 10th minute through a well-taken header from young defender Dippendu Biswas. The visitors regained the lead in the 24th minute when Ajaraie produced a stunning finish.The second half saw a more balanced contest, with both teams creating chances. Mohun Bagan's persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Subhasish Bose scored a controversial goal to level the scores. The match reached its climax in the 87th minute when substitute Jason Cummings netted the winner for Mohun Bagan, securing all three points for the home team.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, eager to secure their first victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, will face off against NorthEast United in their second home game on Monday in Kolkata. The Mariners, who drew with Mumbai City FC in their opening match, will be determined to break their winless streak.NorthEast United, on the other hand, enter the clash with confidence after securing a late victory over debutants Mohammedan Sporting in their first game. They will be looking to continue their winning ways in Kolkata, having defeated Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup 2024 final just a few weeks ago.Mohun Bagan have a remarkable scoring record in the ISL, having found the back of the net in 15 of their 16 games played in 2024. They have scored in 11 consecutive games, just one short of their ISL streak of 12 matches set between March 2021 and January 2022.NorthEast United, known for their defensive prowess, have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, including two in a row in their previous matches. If they can keep Mohun Bagan at bay on Monday, it will be the first time they have not conceded a goal in three consecutive ISL encounters.Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina is aware of his team's defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded a 2-0 lead against Mumbai City FC. He is determined to address these issues and secure victories in upcoming fixtures."We have to play better and defend better to win matches. We have to focus on that, keep working, stay positive, and hopefully, in the next matches, we will play better," he said.NorthEast United coach Juan Pedro Benali anticipates a strong response from Mohun Bagan after their draw against Mumbai City FC. However, he is confident that his team will pose a significant challenge to the Mariners."Mohun Bagan haven't had the best of results in the last few games. They will be eager to get over us and our job is to make it as much as difficult for them. The players are ready," Benali said.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the oldest surviving club in Asia, is set to embark on its international campaign in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) on Wednesday. The Kolkata-based club will host FC Ravshan Kulob of Tajikistan in the opening Group A league match at the Salt Lake Stadium.As the Indian Super League shield champion, Mohun Bagan has earned its spot in ACL Two and is determined to make a positive start. The team's legacy and the opportunity to represent India on the international stage will serve as motivation against FC Ravshan Kulob, a team they will face for the first time.The group league stage will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the top two teams advancing to the knock-outs (round of 16). Mohun Bagan's start to the season has been mixed, reaching the Durand Cup final but losing on penalties to NorthEast United FC. In the ISL, they drew 2-2 with Mumbai City FC, raising questions about their defensive quality.Head coach Jose Molina acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "The ACL Two is a big competition. All matches will be very difficult as all teams here are quite good. But tomorrow with our fans helping us, hopefully we can have a good match and get our first three points from the group stage."The competition rules allow an unlimited number of foreigners in a side, but Molina may face a slight disadvantage as two of his six imports, Australian forward Jamie Maclaren and Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez, are nursing injuries. This could mean more responsibility for the Indian contingent, which Molina hopes will perform to its potential.