Mumbai, December 20, 2023: Mumbai City FC staged a dramatic comeback to win 2-1 against Mohun Bagan in a fiery Indian Super League encounter at the Mumbai Football Arena on Wednesday. Seven red cards marred the match in a display of intense rivalry and questionable discipline.
Mohun Bagan struck first in the 25th minute through Jason Cummings, who tapped in a Liston Colaco cross. Akash Mishra was sent off shortly before, leaving Mumbai City with a numerical disadvantage. However, they responded before the break as Greg Stewart equalized with a deflected effort assisted by Bipin Singh.
The second half was even more dramatic. Asish Rai and Liston Colaco saw red within three minutes of each other, leaving both teams down to nine men. Greg Stewart then received a red card himself late on, but Mumbai City held on. Bipin Singh, who had impressed throughout, secured the victory in the 73rd minute with a goal assisted by Stewart.
The seven red cards, a record in ISL history, cast a long shadow over the match. Referee Rahul Kumar faced severe criticism for his handling of the game, with both sets of players and coaches questioning his decisions. While Mumbai City celebrated their dramatic comeback victory, the incident raised concerns about the escalating lack of discipline in the league.
Impact of the Red Cards
- Akash Mishra’s early red card forced Mumbai City to adopt a defensive approach, restricting their attacking intent.
- The sending-off of Asish Rai and Liston Colaco within a short span completely changed the dynamics of the game, creating a chaotic and open encounter.
- Greg Stewart’s red card late on put immense pressure on Mumbai City, who had to defend their one-goal lead with just seven men.
- The red cards ultimately favored Mumbai City, who capitalized on the numerical advantage they enjoyed in the second half.
Beyond the Controversy
- Bipin Singh’s performance was a standout, with the Indian forward scoring the winning goal and causing constant problems for the Mohun Bagan defense.
- Mumbai City’s fighting spirit was admirable, as they came back from a goal down and numerical disadvantage to secure the three points.
- The match highlighted the intense rivalry between Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan, with both teams refusing to give an inch despite the chaotic circumstances.
Post-match reactions
- Mumbai City FC coach Des Buckingham: “The red cards were unfortunate, but I’m proud of the character shown by the boys. Bipin was fantastic, and we showed great resilience to come back and win.”
- Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando: “The red cards were a major factor, but I’m disappointed with the refereeing decisions. We fought hard, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
- Bipin Singh, Mumbai City FC: “It’s a special feeling to score the winner in such a big game. The team showed great belief, and I’m happy to contribute to the victory.”
- Jason Cummings, Mohun Bagan: “Frustrated with the result, but the red cards made it very difficult. We have to learn from this and move forward.”
Other key individual performances
- Jason Cummings: Mohun Bagan’s sole goalscorer, capitalizing on Liston Colaco’s cross to put them ahead early.
- Rahul Kumar (Referee): While his decisions sparked controversy, his handling of the chaotic situation deserves mention.
- Both defenses: Despite the red cards, both teams defended resolutely, especially Mumbai City in the dying minutes with only seven men.
Key Points
- Mumbai City FC came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against Mohun Bagan.
- Seven red cards were shown in the match, a record in ISL history.
- Mumbai City is second in the table, and Mohun Bagan is fifth.
