CFL 2018: Mohun Bagan beat Customs 2-0 to win league after 8 years

Mohun Bagan on Wednesday defeated Calcutta Customs 2-0 to lift Calcutta Football League after 8 years. This is the 30th time Mohun Bagan has won the league. The significance of the league may have decreased after introduction of I-League and ISL, but still, CFL has a special place in heart of all football lovers in Bengal. 

And after eight years, Mariners have a reason to celebrate as Mohun Bagan has won the trophy. East Bengal lifted the trophy for last eight years and that streak has been broken by Mohun Bagan now. They have taken an unassailable lead of six points over archrival East Bengal with a match to spare. It is a day to celebrate for all Mohun Bagan fans. Congratulations to them and best of luck for the coming season! 

Live Update:

Goallllllllll! What a strike from Henry Kisseka from the top of the box. Just 3 minutes into the match. This will considerably ease the pressure of all players who are chasing history here. 

15 minutes gone. It is still 1-0. Mohun Bagan exerting lot of pressure but Stanley of Calcutta Customs got the best chance against the run of play. He got goalkeeper in a 1-1 position, after getting better of the defenders. However a brilliant save from the goalie ensured that no harm is done.

28 minutes and Mohun Bagan maintain their slender leader. But Calcutta Customs is eager to spoil Mohun Bagan's party. Make no mistake, Customs is no pushover and are matching Mohun Bagan shot by shot. MB will desperately want to increase their lead. 

10 minutes to go for half time. The match being majorly played in the mid-field. Mohun Bagan yet to completely exert their dominance despite the 1-0 lead. The home crowd though is not complaining. They are happy that their team is winning and is all set to create history within an hour. 

Goall!!!! Just at the stroke of half-time, Henry Kisseka scores again. A  brilliant through pass and all it needed Kisseka was to place it out of the reach of hands of the Customs goalie. Quality shot and the Mohun Bagan fans are ecstatic. Looks like the mariners are in for a joyride today. Mohun Bagan goalie Sankar must be praised though for thwarting some brilliant efforts from Customs players. 

55 minutes over and Mohun Bagan still leading by Kisseka's brace. Is trophy coming after 8 years? Will Kisseka score a hattrick. We will know soon. 

70 minutes gone. It is 2-0 still for Mohun Bagan. Just 20 minutes...Fans are waiting eagerly. 

Less than 15 minutes to go. Customs still not giving up. They have certainly elevated the quality of this game with their fiesty play. 

Mohun Bagan was unlucky last year. They had the same points as East Bengal, but lost out on top spot owing to goal difference. However, no such problem this time. It has been a clinical performance by the maroon and white brigade under able coaching of Shankarlal Chakraborty. Shankarlal, a truly people's coach is in cusp of making history with his first major trophy win. Dicka has truly played a significant role in this. Kisseka though has scored in the most important match. 

And it's history!!!!!!!!! Mohun Bagan has lifted the trophy after 8 years. After so much frustration, hardwork and heartbreak it is the day of celebration for all Mohun Bagan fans. After 8 years Mohun Bagan has lifted the trophy with a match to spare! The fans are elated. They never gave up hope even though it felt down and out so many times. 

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After long eight years, Mohun Bagan is in the cusp of winning the Calcutta Football League 2018. They have to win against Customs, who is unbeaten so far. If Mohun Bagan wins this match, they will be able to stop triple hatrick of East Bengal of winning CFL. 

Mohun Bagan has relative advantage after East Bengal's loss against Mohammedan Sporting. Mohun Bagan is playing unchanged XI which played against FCI and scored 5 goals. If Mohun Bagan wins they will be six points clear of East Bengal, making the last round irrelevant. 

Mohun Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty though is very careful and is not taking the opponents lightly. Before the match, he said that the team will give due respect to their opponents who haven't lost in the season. Customs coach Rajiv De, a veteran of the Kolkata maidan is much more pragmatic. He said that the team is still not out of relegation zone and would like to get a point from this match. Can Henry, Dicka, Pintu and others bring some smile in the face of millions of Mohun Bagan fans. We will know soon. 

The timing of the match is 4.30 PM

It will be telecasted on Sadhana TV

Here's the livestream for the match