Kochi (Kerala) [India], February 16 (ANI): Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) head coach Jose Molina shared his pleasure at securing a convincing 3-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday.
Jamie Maclaren was sensational in the first half, as the Aussie forward scored a clinical brace to give the Mariners (MBSG) a crucial 2-0 lead at halftime. Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez netted his fifth goal of the season in the second half, sealing Mohun Bagan SG’s third league double over the Blasters.
The Mariners created numerous attacking opportunities, thanks to their lethal forward unit. With Maclaren leading the line, Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco were instrumental on the wings, while Jason Cummings impressed in the anchor role with his link-up play and intelligent ball distribution.
Following this dominant 3-0 victory away from home, the Mariners are now just one win away from becoming the first team in ISL history to defend the League Shield.
Molina expressed his delight at securing three crucial points on the road but urged his players to maintain their momentum and make history with a win against Odisha FC in their next home game. They could also clinch the Shield earlier if FC Goa lose to Kerala Blasters next Saturday.
“We are in a good way. We are happy with the three important points today. We are one step closer to getting the shield. We have to keep going, keep working, because still the job is not done,” he said in the post-match press conference, as quoted from the official website of ISL.
“We are going to celebrate tonight. But tomorrow (Sunday), we are going to start thinking about the Odisha FC match in Kolkata to try to win again, and it could be the game that gives us the League Shield. Now, more than ever, we have to be focused on our job and try to win the next match,” he continued.
Despite suffering a tough defeat at home, Kerala Blasters FC also had a fair amount of chances, especially in the opening half with Korou Singh, Lalthanmawia Renthlei, and Jesus Jimenez. The hosts had three clear-cut chances within 26 minutes, but Korou’s attempt was blocked by Subhasish Bose, Renthlei’s strike was denied by Vishal Kaith, and Jimenez’s shot was off-target.
While quizzed about the initial pressure created by the Blasters, Molina answered, “At the beginning of the first half, Kerala Blasters FC put us under pressure because they had the possession, they moved the ball in a good way, and we had to defend sometimes too deep. That gave them some chances to score. Overall, they had one good chance that Vishal (Kaith) saved. It was a great save. But we were not clear with the ball in the beginning.”
“We lost the ball too easily. But I think when we had the count to keep the ball and to move the ball, we had the chances. We had Jamie Maclaren, who successfully scored two goals today after two good actions from Liston (Colaco). And Jason Cummings, for the second one, a really good pass. And maybe that gave us more confidence. And maybe Kerala Blasters FC, after those two goals, dropped a little bit because I think it was tough for them,” Molina explained.
The Mariners’ head coach acknowledged that they could have secured a bigger-margin victory in Kochi, given the chances they created in the second half. However, he praised his players’ precision in the opposition half, which earned his side three crucial points with a clinical performance.
Molina also lauded his team’s collective all-round effort in defending their lead against the Blasters, who dominated possession with 67%. He believed his side was much better in defensive organization compared to their attacking transitions.
“In the second half, even if Kerala Blasters FC still had the possession and moved the ball, we defended still better, the whole team together. We scored one goal; we could have scored maybe a couple of goals. We had the chance. I think it was not a brilliant match in terms of attacking football, but it was a great match in defence,” the Spaniard remarked.
“It was a great match in the clinical moments in front of the goal. The first option we had, we scored; the second we scored, and that gave us the three points,” Molina signed off. (ANI)
