Mohun Bagan defeats NorthEast United 2-1 to prepare for ISL final against Mumbai City

ATK Mohun Bagan, in their first year as a joint entity, reached the Indian Super League final with a 2-1 win over NorthEast United in the second leg of the play-offs, here on Tuesday.

With this victory, the Mariners have staged a highly successful title match against League Shield winners Mumbai City FC.

The green and maroon brigade won the two-game play-offs 3-2 on aggregate. The result also means that Bagan has qualified for the AFC Cup group stage after finishing second in the league and qualifying for the final.

Their rival in the final, Mumbai City FC, have secured their place in the Asian Champions League.

David Williams (38 ′) continued his good form in the play-offs by scoring once more, while Manvir Singh (68 ′) added the second before VP Suhair (74 ′) scored a goal for the Highlanders.

Bagan took a completely different approach than the first leg. They had 16 shots in the first half, but only three on target. It only took three minutes for them to sound a warning.

However, the Kolkata team deservedly took the lead in the 38th minute and when Roy Krishna set up Williams up front, who was quick enough to beat the Highlanders’ defenders with pace.

After entering the box, the Australian conceded at home. That ensured Bagan entered the vent nose-forward.

NorthEast came back strong in the second session and dominated the first 15 minutes. They created chances and put the goalkeeper to the test, but they couldn’t get the draw they were looking for. Federico Gallego and Suhair were rejected by Arindam.

But Bagan soon regained control and found a second goal from a quick counterattack. Bagan cleared a NEUFC set piece and Krishna was quick to launch an attack from outside his own box.

The Fijian played a long pass to Manvir, who escaped from rival defenses and fired over the goalkeeper.

NEUFC withdrew a goal just before halftime to cool off. The goal came from a set piece. Machado hit a corner kick that was thrown by Benjamin Lambot. Arindam completely missed the ball before it hit the post and Suhair was in the right place to head the goal.

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