The Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Chennaiyin FC AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 opened with an exciting match, under the rain soaked lights of the PJN Stadium in Margao with the Mariners winning 2-0 without much doubt. It was a emotional night to the new head coach of Chennaiyin Clifford Miranda as he was back to his home state of Goa but suffered a rough beginning as his all-Indian team was overwhelmed by a well-organized Bagan team.

This was not just a football match but a challenge of perseverance, strategies, and flexibility due to heavy rain, ancient animosity and the prospects of fresh starts. And out in the center of it all there was Jamie Maclaren, the Australian striker whose two goals in a span of three minutes won the Kolkata giants three critical points.

First Half : Rain, Strength and the Breakthrough of Maclaren.

Torrential rain became the twelfth player in the field as soon as the game started at 7:30 PM. The dampness meant that even passes of the simplest kind were subject to uncertainty and the control and composure of both sides were put to the test. But Bagan Mohun was adjusted with greater speed.

At the beginning of the game Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco were relentlessly driving down the wings, stretching the Chennaiyin defense which was manned by Pritam Kotal, a familiar figure to Bagan fans. The initial exchanges were characterized by Bagan being in control, and their high pressing led to mistakes by Chennaiyin during build up in their possession.

Bagan made almost a goal from the 34th-minute free-kick when Colaco curled a free-kick that flew past the post. Chennaiyin attempted to retaliate with Farukh Choudhary and Jiteshwor Singh, but was denied by Vishal Kaith who had a shot saved by Jiteshwor that was on its way to the net.

Moments later, Bagan pounced. Colaco gained momentum and scored the goal in the 38 th minute beating Laldinliana and passing the ball to Jamie Maclaren who calmly passed past Mohammad Nawaz to put the ball into the net 1-0. The reason why Bagan had invested in the Australian as their star striker was highlighted by the sharp turn and calmness under pressure that exuded in the Australian.

The half was concluded by Bagan on the lead and in charge with, at the very least, Chennaiyin beginning to exhibit frustration. Timing errors were caused by the slippery pitch and both Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Anirudh Thapa picked up yellow cards because of the late tackles.

Second Half : Strategy Changes and Knockout Blow

At halftime, the teams had come back and by the time they had come back, the rain had stopped but the intensity on the field was still there. Miranda had more organized men who forced Bagan to higher the midfield in an effort to counter them. The scheme almost came to fruition in the 59th minute when Irfan infiltrated to the box only to be defied by an impeccable challenge by Anwar Ali.

Bagan, nevertheless did not want to lose command. The tempo was controlled by Thapa (when playing with his ex-club) with Boumous who passed through tricky passes leaving Chennaiyin trailing shadows. Flexibility of tactics of the Mariners was apparent-it could switch easily to direct counters, then to possession play.

Then came the time which made the game. With 67th minute having come, a deep ball was entered by Subhasish Bose, and rested in the possession of Manvir Singh on the left. Manvir made a single contact and passed a cross-cut right to the center. Maclaren, who was on his toes, slipped through the centre-backs and shot a smart finish. Mohun Bagan 2-0 Chennaiyin FC.

Not only did that objective enhance Bagan by two goals, it also obliterated the rest of the hopes of Chennaiyin. Miranda also brought in youngsters such as Klusner John Manuel Pereira and Suhail Ahmad Bhat to bring life but the defensive discipline of Bagan prevailed. The result was never in question even when the late curler of Pereira hit the woodwork in stoppage time.

During the last quarter, Habas changed sides with oneruption, replacing Maclaren with Jason Cummings who headed off the court with a standing ovation. In the 84th minute Cummings chiefly opened a third with a left-footed shot, but Nawaz blocked it with his comfort.

The game management of Bagan during the last ten minutes was ideal. They defended, slowed down the speed, and gave no breathing room to forwards of Chennaamyin. By the time the last whistle sounded, the score board reflected Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2 -0 Chennaiyin FC, which made the Mariners to be ranked group A to the toot top.

The Troubled Beginning of Clifford Miranda.

It was a mixed night as far as Clifford Miranda was concerned. To have coach Chennaamyin on behalf of a team of all Indian players in his motherland should have been a source of pride but the facts of higher competition were to strike a big blow. There were occasional glimpses of the tact and personal ability to his side but not the finesse and calm which Mohun Bagan had had during the whole.

Nevertheless, all the signs were not bad. Children such as Irfan, Jiteshwor and Farukh were promising and in the long run Miranda could achieve success. But against a force of experience and depth possessed by Bagan, his men were merely outshone.

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