Molina Aims to Bring Joy to Fans with League Winners’ Shield Retention

Kolkata, Feb 24 (NationPress) Mohun Bagan Super Giant has carved its name in the Indian Super League (ISL) annals, becoming the first team to successfully defend the League Winners’ Shield.

The Mariners, guided by the insightful head coach Jose Molina, have amassed 52 points with two matches remaining, showcasing their supremacy in the 2024-25 season. Their extraordinary journey has been highlighted by numerous record-breaking achievements – they are the first team to exceed 50 points in a single ISL season, securing the most wins (16) in a campaign, and establishing a defensive stronghold with 14 clean sheets, setting a new league record.

“16 wins - it has been incredible. I am truly thankful to everyone, especially the fans. Our aim is to bring joy to the fans, and today, they are undoubtedly the happiest fans globally. The backing of the owner and management is crucial for the coach. To secure a trophy, unity is essential. It’s not merely about having 11 players; everyone must feel valued within the team,” Molina stated after their 1-0 victory against Odisha FC on Sunday.

The team has achieved an unparalleled 14 clean sheets, surpassing the previous record of 10 held by Bengaluru FC (2019-20), themselves (2020-21), and Hyderabad FC (2022-23). Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has been pivotal in maintaining this record, leading the Golden Glove race with twice the number of shutouts compared to his closest rival, Phurba Lachenpa (7). Kaith has also made history as the first goalie in ISL to achieve 50 career clean sheets. The Mariners have only conceded 14 goals in 22 games and are currently on an extraordinary stretch of 570 minutes without conceding.

Molina’s squad has built their success on home turf, claiming 10 victories at home, breaking the record for the most wins a team has achieved on their ground in a single ISL season.

They are not only the highest scorers this season with 43 goals but have also scored the most from set-pieces (19), matching the previous record held by FC Goa in 2019-20. A combination of agile forwards, inventive midfielders, and steadfast defenders has enabled them to dominate aerial duels, winning 59.9 percent of these encounters – the highest success rate in ISL history, along with 10-headed goals. The side has also netted 11 goals from corners, surpassing Bengaluru FC’s previous best of nine in 2021-22.

The Mohun Bagan Super Giant season has seen players from all positions stepping up, with defenders contributing significantly, scoring 14 of their goals thus far. Captain Subhasish Bose has led this offensive charge, scoring six goals, surpassing Mourtada Fall’s previous best of five goals in 2019-20. Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh have been consistently effective on the wings, contributing a joint-total of 14 goals, while Lalengmawia Ralte has emerged as the team’s backbone in midfield, averaging 47 passes per game with 83 percent accuracy and contributing 45 tackles – the third-highest in ISL 2024-25.

With their fifth consecutive playoff qualification, Mohun Bagan is eager to pursue victory after narrowly missing the ISL Cup last season. The focus now shifts towards achieving the double, as Molina stated, “We are aiming to win the two remaining matches of the season and preparing for the Cup, as we cannot consider the season over just yet. We still have a semi-final, hopefully a final, and possibly even a Super Cup soon.”

As the team celebrates its achievements, they are gearing up for their next match against Mumbai City FC away from home on March 1.