Sayan Bandyopadhyay Mohun Bagan
Sayan Bandyopadhyay was once regarded as one of East Bengal’s homegrown talents. But after the club’s ISL triumph, the young footballer left the red-and-gold side and joined city rivals Mohun Bagan.
The move generated considerable discussion. Sayan also faced criticism and taunts over his decision. Now, the youngster has answered those questions on the football pitch.
His decisive goal against Mohammedan Sporting helped Mohun Bagan win the Kolkata Football League title after an eight-year wait.
Sayan played for East Bengal in the Kolkata League last season but did not receive regular opportunities in the ISL.
He was handed opportunities in the senior team during Carles Cuadrat’s tenure. His heated moment with Dimitri Petratos during the Kolkata Derby had attracted attention.
Sayan also impressed with a goal against Punjab FC. However, his situation changed after the coaching setup changed.
He gradually moved out of the senior team’s plans. After East Bengal’s ISL triumph, the two sides went their separate ways.
Joining Mohun Bagan gave Sayan another opportunity to establish himself. His decisive contribution in the title-winning campaign has now given him a memorable moment in green and maroon.
Mohun Bagan’s performance during the round-robin stage of the Kolkata League was not particularly impressive. The team managed to finish among the top three and qualify for the Super Six.
However, their performance improved significantly in the final phase. Two wins from three matches were enough to secure the Kolkata League title.
Mohun Bagan fell behind against Mohammedan Sporting. Sayan’s goal helped change the momentum of the game, while Sahal Abdul Samad also played a major role with two goals.
After the match, Sayan said scoring goals was his job. He had gone without a goal for some time but managed to score when the team needed it most.
The young footballer has now won the Kolkata League with both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. However, he does not want to place one achievement above the other.
For Sayan, both triumphs are equally important. His next target is to continue improving and earn a place in the Indian national team.
Sahal Abdul Samad was another key figure in Mohun Bagan’s success. Despite scoring twice, he refused to take individual credit for the achievement.
Sahal said winning always feels good, but winning a trophy brings a different feeling. He credited the entire team for the success.
According to Sahal, the team has the ability to fight back even after falling behind. Maintaining their rhythm and continuing to work hard remain central to their approach.
The Kolkata League triumph comes ahead of the IF Shield and the ISL. Sahal believes the title will give both young and senior players additional confidence.
Experienced defender Subhasish Bose said the team had achieved its objective by winning the Kolkata League. Club official Debashis Dutta also expressed hope that the competition would remain highly competitive in the coming years.
After an eight-year wait, Mohun Bagan supporters celebrated passionately. Fans returning from Barasat Stadium were seen celebrating with green-and-maroon colours and chants for their beloved club.
Sayan was also at the centre of the celebrations. After ending the long wait for the Kolkata League title, the supporters now have another demand—the ISL trophy.
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