Mohun Bagan's pressure increased after Goa's win, Bengali Ankit's goal made East Bengal in trouble after Chennaiyin won.
In the ISL, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal both had eyes on the two games on Tuesday. The day did not go well for the two chiefs. As a result of the two games, the pressure increased on Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
Two heads have two goals. Mohun Bagan are fighting to win the League-Shield. East Bengal’s fight for survival in the playoffs. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal were eyeing two matches on Tuesday for this fight. The day did not go well for the two chiefs. As a result of the two games, the pressure increased on Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
Mohun Bagan were second on the ISL points table before Tuesday. Their points are 42 in 20 matches. East Bengal was at number six. Their points are 24 in 21 matches.
The first game on Tuesday was FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC. Goa’s points were 39 in 20 matches. They were after the garden. Jamshedpur’s points were 21 in 21 matches. In other words, Mohun Bagan would have benefited if Goa lost. East Bengal lost to Jamshedpur. Jamshedpur lost by 2-3 despite going ahead in the beginning of the match.
By winning Goa, their points are 42 in 21 matches. That is, equal to Mohun Bagan. Although they have played one match more. Goa’s last match is against Chennaiyin FC. If they win that match, their points will be 45. Mohun Bagan still have two games left. They will take on Bengaluru FC on Thursday. Bagan’s points will be 45 if he wins that match.
Mumbai and Mohun Bagan will meet in the last match. Now Mumbai is on top of the points list. They have 47 points in 21 matches. That is, if Mohun Bagan wins their next match, the League-Shield will be decided in the last match. Bagan must win that match. Mumbai on the other hand will win the league-shield even if they draw.
But if Bagan loses points in these two matches, chances will come for Goa. They can finish in second place. This time the first two teams in the points list will play the semi-finals directly. The next four teams have to play one extra match each. So everyone will try to finish second even if they don’t get the league-shield. Goa is chasing Mohun Bagan in that match.
The second game on Tuesday was Chennaiyin vs North East United. Before the match, Chennaiyin had 24 points from 20 matches. 23 in 20 matches of Northeast. In other words, whichever team won would have topped East Bengal. In case of a draw, Red-Yellow had the advantage. North East had to lose despite advancing in the match. Chennaiyin won 2-1 with Bengali Ankit Mukherjee’s last-minute goal.
After this match, Chennaiyin climbed to number six by topping East Bengal. Their points are 27 in 21 matches. East Bengal will play against Punjab on Wednesday. If they win, the red-yellow will have 27 points in 22 matches. Chennaiyin’s last match is against Goa. If they can draw that match, they will top East Bengal and go into the playoffs as the sixth team. If they lose, the advantage is of course East Bengal.
Because, East Bengal is leading in the face-to-face meeting against Chennaiyin. So if the points are equal, East Bengal will finish at number six. But before that they have to win their matches. With 22 hours to go in the most important match of the competition, the pressure also increased on East Bengal.
