Indian Super Cup 2018 : Mohun Bagan vs Shillong Lajong, 5 Talking Points

A dominating performance by Mohun Bagan saw them register a routine 3-1 victory over Shillong Lajong in Wednesday's Indian Super Cup quarter-finals.

Faiaz, Nikhil Kadam, and a Laurence Doe own goal ensured Bagan safe passage into the final four.

Lajong came out second best in all areas of the pitch. This victory means Mohun Bagan will face the winners of Bengaluru FC and Neroca FC in the semi-finals.

Here are the major talking points from tonight's entertaining clash.

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#1 Aggressive Mogun Bagan pile on the pressure early

Today's quarter-final clash was a battle between the third best and sixth best team in the I-League.

Understandably, it was the Kolkata giants who started on a positive note. The men in white were extremely aggressive and physical in their approach.

Shillong attempted to slow down the game but Bagan's front men and midfielders pressed them incessantly which made for an extremely intriguing start to the game.

Two completely different approaches resulted in an exciting match.

Bagan forward, Dipanda Dicka led proceedings while there were at least six Bagan players in Shillong's half, enforcing themselves onto their opponents.

While Lajong were wasteful on the ball, their opponents were omnipresent and ever-ready to pounce on them as they piled on the pressure from minute one.

#2 Persistent Faiaz gives Bagan an early lead

Mohun Bagan were rewarded early on for their dominance and Shillong Lajong only had themselves to blame for failing to put a plug on the onslaught.

After creating a number of good openings, midfielder, Faiaz gave his side an early lead with a well-taken finish from inside the box.

Striker, Dipanda Dicka ventured outside his area before chipping in a wonderful pass for Faiaz who failed to bury his chance the first time.

He, however, did not give up and scissored his shot past the keeper in his second attempt despite being under tremendous pressure from his markers who were all around him.

Mind you, Faiaz is the only Indian player in this Mohun Bagan side to have played every one of the 18 matches for his side this season in the I-League.

A testament to his consistency for which he was duly rewarded today.

#3 Confusion surrounds Nikhil Kadam's screamer

Building on their early lead, Mohun Bagan stung Shillong once again this time courtesy a splendid long-range effort from Nikhil Kadam.

The winger found himself free and unmarked. He took a touch before unleashing a venomous shot from distance that rattled the post before bouncing past the goal line and coming out.

Much to the shock of the viewers, the referee decided not to award the goal despite replays showing that the ball had clearly crossed the line. Bagan's players were all over the officials and understandably so.

Amidst all this confusion, the linesman finally decided to speak to the referee post which the goal was rightly awarded albeit after a slight delay.

Had that goal not been given, it would have gone down as the biggest blunder this season.

#4 Goalkeeping blunder gifts Shillong a lifeline

Shilton Paul's hesitancy resulted in Shillong reducing the deficit to just one. Mohun Bagan were truly dominating the game and out of nowhere, they conceded a cheap goal in the first half.

Lalmuanpuia's aimless lob into the box should have been a routine save for Paul. But Bagan's keeper failed to control his area and was hesitant to come forward.

All he had to do was catch hold of the lose ball. Sensing confusion, Abdoulaye Koffi made a late run into the box and calmly headed the ball into the net much to the frustration of Bagan's defenders who believed they had done the job.

That goal was largely down to Shilton's indecisiveness which proved to be costly and needlessly added pressure on the Kolkata outfit. Having saved a penalty just minutes before, a lot more was expected from the shot-stopper.

#5 Professional Bagan put Shillong to the sword

Apart from Paul's first-half howler, Mohun Bagan produced a thoroughly professional performance against Shillong on Wednesday.

For large parts of the match, they were the better team and kept it simple.

More importantly, the Kolkata giants were disciplined at the back which meant their forwards and midfielders marauded forwarded with much more confidence than their opponents.

Even the cooling break couldn't help Shillong in their attempt to calm down and restore parity.

Eventually, experience triumphed over-enthusiasm. Every time it looked like Shillong were turning the screws, Bagan replied with a goal and silenced their opponents' efforts to mount a possible comeback.

Credit to the men in white for approaching this match with confidence and clarity.