ISL 2020-21: Bipin Singh scores winner as Mumbai City FC beat ATK Mohun Bagan to become champions for first time

Margao: Mumbai City FC won their maiden Indian Super League (ISL) title with a 2-1 victory over ATK Mohun Bagan in the final on Saturday. Bipin Singh scored on the 90th minute to seal the issue in Mumbai City FC’s favour at the Fatorda Stadium. Earlier, David Williams struck the game’s opener in the 18th minute to put ATK Mohun Bagan ahead, while Jose Luis Espinosa Arroya, also known as Tiri, found the equaliser for the Mumbai outfit in the 29th minute. Both the teams come into the final with identical records, 12 wins and just four defeats in the league stage. Mumbai City FC also prevailed on both occasions against the Kolkata side in the league stages including the final league match which handed them the top finish and the Asian Champions League (ACL) berth. Mumbai continued with their usual possession-based football but for Bagan who were out of the blocks early, it was all about surging ahead. While the islanders had over 60 percent possession in the first quarter, Bagan had more shots on target. There was an early penalty call when Bipin Singh was challenged in the box by Pritam Kotal, but the referee displayed no interest. Thereafter, it was all about the Mariners. The Kolkata side pinned their opponents with a high pressing game which forced the Islanders into errors. The first real threat for Mumbai came from a Javier Hernandez free-kick which brushed the crossbar. Roy Krishna then forced a save from Amrinder Singh from a tight angle. With pressure mounting on Mumbai’s defence, the Kolkata side broke the deadlock first. Krishna dispossessed Ahmed Jahouh just outside the box and slipped a pass to Williams. The Australian got on to his stronger right foot and fired a firm shot past Amrinder. But with Jahouh and his trademark long deliveries, it was always going to get difficult for ATKMB. And with one such move, Mumbai found themselves back in the game. On seeing Bipin make a run upfront, Jahouh played a long ball from his own half into the Kolkata box. Tiri attempted a clearance but his header landed in his own goal.

LOVING THE MOMENT 💙#MCFCATKMB #HeroISLFinal #TrophyLekeAa 🏆 #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/m08BHjZsgg

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 13, 2021

Just before the half-time, Amey Ranawade was involved in a horrible tackle with Subhasish Bose and it appeared that the Mumbai defender suffered a serious head injury. The play was halted with the ambulance making its way to the ground and Ranawade was taken to a hospital for further medical care. Mumbai continued with attack after restart and Raynier Fernandes forced yet another save from Arindam after breaking into the area skipping past challenges from Kolkata defence. The Bagan keeper then produced a fine save to deny Hernan Santana from a free-kick. At the hour mark, Mumbai probably had the best chance of the game. Arindam managed to block Le Fondre’s shot but the rebound traveled to Boumous, whose shot was off-target. Bagan had the ball in the back of the net when Hernandez’s freekick was deflected off Mohamad Rakip into his own net, but the linesman caught Krishna offside. After producing some fine saves, Arindam made a huge mistake which cost his team the title. After he failed to deal with a long ball properly, Bartholomew Ogbeche chased it down. The ball found its way to Bipin who made no mistake from close range. Krishna was adjudged the Hero of the League while Igor Angulo won the Golden Boot. Amrinder won the Golden Glove award. Alberto Noguera won the DHL Winning Pass of the Season while Lalengmawia of the NorthEast United was adjudged the Emerging Player of the League. With inputs from PTI