Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) made history in the Indian Super League (ISL) by winning both the League Shield and the ISL Cup in the 2024–25 season. On Saturday night, they beat Bengaluru FC 2-1 in front of a full crowd at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
It was a hard-fought match. Bengaluru FC scored first in the first half, but MBSG made a strong comeback with smart changes by head coach Antonio Lopez Habas. The win also means MBSG stayed unbeaten at home throughout the season.
Super-Subs Change the Game
Head coach Jose Molina praised the impact of his substitutes, especially Sahal Abdul Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan. “Liston and Thapa played well, but they were getting tired. Sahal and Ashique gave us more control and energy on the left side,” Molina said. “Sahal helped us create more chances. Later, we brought on Tangiri and Greg to take control again.”
Molina talked about the importance of having strong players on the bench. “You need players who wait for their moment. Today, Sahal and Ashique changed the game.”
Trusting the Process After Early Setbacks
When asked about the loss in the Durand Cup final earlier this season, Molina stayed calm and positive. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. After that loss, I told the team to trust the process. Winning both the Shield and the Cup this season shows the team’s belief and hard work.”
Molina has now won ISL titles with both ATK (in 2016) and MBSG (in 2025). But he didn’t want to call this the peak of his coaching career just yet.
Responding to Penalty Drama
After the final, Bengaluru FC’s coach raised questions about a penalty decision, saying it affected the outcome. Molina refused to complain or blame the referee.
“When you don’t win, you look for excuses,” Molina said. “We lost 3-0 in Bengaluru earlier this season, and I didn’t complain. I haven’t even seen the penalty decision yet. It’s easy to talk about money or referees, but football is about work and chemistry. That’s how you win titles.”
What’s Next for MBSG?
When asked about the next tournament, the Super Cup, Molina smiled and said, “Let me enjoy this night first. We’ll decide tomorrow.”
With this win, Mohun Bagan Super Giant not only made history but also proved that teamwork, smart coaching, and belief in the process are the keys to success in football.