Football

Vikram Partap Singh, a rising star in Indian football, is gearing up for the biggest match of his club career: the Indian Super League (ISL) final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. With 12 goal contributions (8 goals, 4 assists) this season, Singh has emerged as a key player for Mumbai City FC.Singh's preparation for the final has been meticulous. After missing the last league game due to suspension, he was determined to prove his worth in the semi-final against FC Goa. His goal and assist over two legs against Goa were crucial in Mumbai City's victory."I told myself that the semi-final is where I need to show that I can be useful to the team," Singh said. "The only thought for us was to try and score one goal. When Chhangte scored, it gave us belief and realization that there is time for more."Singh believes that the key to success in the final will be maintaining belief and avoiding complacency. "No player now thinks the game will end around the 90-minute mark," he said. "Sometimes seven minutes are enough to score two or three goals."The desire to end the season on a high note is also driving Singh and his teammates. "Losing the league shield in Kolkata to Mohun Bagan meant we had to win the semi-final as we didn't want to finish with nothing after a good season," he said.Singh has learned valuable lessons from Mumbai City's previous encounters with Mohun Bagan. "If there is one thing we learnt from that game, it was: never start a game thinking a draw will be enough," he said.Despite Mumbai City's Champions League experience this season, Singh believes that the ISL final is the biggest club game of his career. "We can't say that about any game we play in India. So, this is a must-win," he said.Singh credits his coach, Petr Kratky, for giving him more freedom and playing him on both sides of the pitch. "I feel I am more mature now but the confidence he had in me helped," he said.Singh is also eager to make his mark on the international stage. After making his debut for India against Afghanistan last March, he believes it's time to work hard and improve. "I can't call myself a young player anymore. 22 'bahut hota hai'. It felt like I was late for my India debut," he said.Singh is confident that he can continue to perform at a high level. "At 22, you can't say all that. I can play all year," he said.

Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata giants, stand on the cusp of history as they prepare to face Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) final on Saturday. The Mariners have already secured the Durand Cup and the League Winners Shield this season, and a victory in the ISL would complete a historic treble.The match will be played at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, which is expected to be packed with 62,000 partisan Mohun Bagan fans. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as the Mariners look to cap off their fairytale season with a memorable triumph.Mohun Bagan's journey to the final has been a remarkable one. After a disappointing start to the season, they appointed Antonio Habas as their head coach, and the Spaniard has transformed the team's fortunes. Under Habas, the Mariners have played with a renewed sense of purpose and determination, and they have been virtually unstoppable in recent months.Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, will be looking to spoil Mohun Bagan's party. The Islanders have been one of the most consistent teams in the ISL, and they will be confident of their chances of winning the title. Mumbai City FC have already defeated Mohun Bagan once this season, in the ISL semi-finals, and they will be hoping to repeat that performance in the final.The match is expected to be a close and exciting affair. Both teams have quality players in their ranks, and they will be desperate to win the ISL title. Mohun Bagan will be buoyed by the support of their home crowd, but Mumbai City FC will be determined to prove that they are the best team in the league.

Mumbai City FC secured their place in the Indian Super League (ISL) final with a dominant 2-0 victory over FC Goa in the semi-final second leg at the Mumbai Football Arena. The aggregate score of 5-2 sealed their triumph.After a thrilling 3-2 first-leg win at the Fatorda Stadium, Mumbai City FC maintained their momentum with goals from Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte. The victory marks their second consecutive appearance in the ISL final, having won the title in 2021.Mumbai City FC controlled the tempo of the match from the outset, despite a spirited start from FC Goa. Chhangte, who emerged as the star of the night, created the first significant chance but was denied by a timely block. The hosts continued to press, hitting the woodwork twice through Tiri and Chhangte.The second half saw Mumbai City FC maintain their dominance, and their efforts were rewarded in the 69th minute. Diaz pounced on a corner kick and tapped the ball into the net from close range. Chhangte sealed the victory in the 83rd minute with a brilliant solo run from his own half.Mumbai City FC will now face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the final on Saturday. The Kolkata-based club advanced to the final after edging out Odisha FC 3-2 on aggregate in the other semi-final.

In a dramatic turn of events, Mumbai City FC stunned FC Goa with a remarkable 3-2 victory in the first leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final on Wednesday. The match, played in the humid conditions of Goa, saw Mumbai City trailing for most of the game before unleashing a late onslaught in injury time.FC Goa took the lead in the 16th minute through Boris Thangjam, who capitalized on a defensive error by Mehtab Singh. The home team continued to dominate possession and stifled Mumbai City's attacking options. In the 56th minute, Brandon Fernandes extended Goa's lead with a stunning long-range strike, seemingly putting the game beyond Mumbai City's reach.However, Mumbai City refused to give up. In the 90th minute, Lallianzuala Chhangte reduced the deficit with a well-timed run and finish, assisted by Jayesh Rane. Just a minute later, Vikram Partap Singh equalized for Mumbai City, taking advantage of a spilled save by FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem.As the game entered stoppage time, Mumbai City continued to press for the winner. In the sixth minute of added time, Chhangte completed his brace, slipping between two FC Goa defenders to score the decisive goal, again assisted by Rane.The victory was a testament to Mumbai City's resilience and the impact of substitute Rane, who made a significant contribution after coming on in the 64th minute. FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez expressed his disappointment with his team's late collapse, stating, "This is why we didn't win the league. If you don't show character, you don't win."Chhangte's performance was particularly impressive, as he now has 15 goal contributions (9 goals and 6 assists) this season, the most among Indians and sixth overall. His late goals have proven crucial for Mumbai City in their quest for the ISL title.

Mohun Bagan Super Giants emerged victorious in the Indian Super League (ISL) final, defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium. The triumph marked the first time the Kolkata-based club had won the league shield.The match began with a packed stadium, with the crowd serving as the 12th player for Mohun Bagan. The team's determination was evident from the start, as Liston Colaco opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header. Colaco's second goal came eight minutes later, giving Mohun Bagan a comfortable lead.Mumbai City FC fought back in the second half, with Lallianzuala Chhangte scoring a late goal in the 89th minute. However, Mohun Bagan held on for the victory, with Jason Cummings scoring the team's second goal in the 80th minute.The win was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando praised his players for their performance, saying, "We played with a lot of heart and passion. We knew it would be a tough game, but we never gave up."Captain Subhasish Bose echoed Ferrando's sentiments, saying, "This is a dream come true. We have worked so hard for this moment, and it feels amazing to finally win the league shield."The victory also earned Mohun Bagan a berth in the Asian Champions League 2, a significant achievement for the club. The team's success is a testament to the growing popularity of football in India and the passion of its fans.

The Indian Super League (ISL) is set for a thrilling climax as Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mumbai City FC prepare to battle for the League Winner's Shield in the final fixture of the round-robin stage. The match will be a clash of titans, with both teams vying for the prestigious trophy that symbolizes supremacy in Indian football.Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata giants, will be banking on their home support and the desire to erase their unfavorable record against Mumbai City. The Mariners have never defeated the Islanders in eight previous ISL meetings, a psychological hurdle they must overcome to claim their maiden League Shield.Mumbai City, on the other hand, holds a commanding lead with 47 points from 21 matches. A draw will suffice for the Islanders to secure the crown, while Mohun Bagan needs a victory to overtake their rivals and reverse the heartbreak of the 2020-21 season, when Mumbai City emerged victorious in the Shield race.The match promises to be a tactical battle between two of the most formidable teams in the league. Mohun Bagan's midfield marshal, Joni Kauko, emphasized the importance of patience and composure, stating, "We need to be patient and calm and play our game."The Mariners will rely on the attacking prowess of Liston Colaco and Hugo Boumous, while Mumbai City will look to their star striker, Igor Angulo, and the creativity of Ahmed Jahouh.The match will be a fitting end to a captivating ISL season that has witnessed some of the most exciting football in recent memory. The League Winner's Shield will be a testament to the hard work, dedication, and skill of the players and coaches involved.

Mumbai City FC, the reigning Indian Super League (ISL) league shield winners, are on the cusp of another title as they face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling final match. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mumbai City's star forward, exudes confidence despite the intimidating atmosphere at Salt Lake Stadium.Chhangte acknowledges the intensity of the match, stating, "It will be wonderful to go out there, fight against them, and win it." He emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude in such high-pressure situations.Despite never having played for a Kolkata team, Chhangte believes the atmosphere will only enhance the experience. He draws upon his previous experience playing for India in Kolkata, describing it as "wonderful."Chhangte's impressive performance this season has seen him score six goals and provide six assists, making him a key contributor to Mumbai City's success. He credits head coach Peter Kratky for instilling a sense of responsibility and teamwork within the squad.While the ISL title is the immediate focus, Chhangte also reflects on the national team's recent struggles. He takes full responsibility for India's underwhelming performances and vows to learn from the experience.With the World Cup qualifiers approaching in June, Chhangte is determined to help India make history by reaching the third round for the first time. He believes the team will come back stronger after the wake-up call of the Afghanistan defeat.

Jamshedpur FC's 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday could turn into a costly affair for the Red Miners. The club is facing the prospect of losing the point they earned due to a violation of the league's rules regarding the minimum number of Indian players on the pitch.According to Rule 4.2.10 of the ISL's league rules for the 2023-24 season, each club must field at least seven Indian players throughout the match. However, Jamshedpur FC fell short of this requirement after Daniel Chima Chukwu was sent off in the 82nd minute and was replaced by Swiss player Alen Stevanovic. This reduced the number of Indian players on the pitch to six.The rule states that failure to comply with this requirement will result in a 3-0 loss for the offending club. However, if the opposing team has won the match by a higher score, the result on the field will be upheld.In this case, Mumbai City FC did not win by a higher score, so Jamshedpur FC could face a 3-0 loss if the violation is confirmed. This would give Mumbai City three points and a 3-0 win, which would significantly boost their chances of winning the ISL shield.With five teams still in contention for the shield, the points and goals awarded to Mumbai City could give them a significant advantage. Currently, Mumbai City is in pole position with 36 points from 18 rounds, while Odisha FC is second with 35 points from 18 games.Jamshedpur FC's quest for a top-six play-off berth could also be affected by the potential loss of points. They are currently sixth with 21 points from 19 games, and a 3-0 loss would drop them down the standings.The ISL is expected to review the incident and make a decision on whether to award Mumbai City the three points. If the violation is confirmed, it will be a costly mistake for Jamshedpur FC and could have a major impact on the race for the ISL shield.