Kalyani, March 10 2020: Mohun Bagan secured their fifth national league title (second I-League title) beating Aizawl FC at Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Tuesday. Papa Diawara’s 80th minute strike helped mariners to lift the coveted trophy in front of packed home crowd.

Kibu Vicuna made three changes to the starting eleven from the earlier game. Komron Tursunov was back to the starting eleven after a one-match ban for double yellow card, Dhanachandra and Daniel Cyrus replaced a Gurjinder and Morante at the defense.

Mohun Bagan players surely had title at their minds as during the first half mostly they were trying so much and losing the ball at the opponent third. Just before the half time Bagan got the best chance of the match from a Joseba Beitia free kick. But Komoron Turusunov’s shot went over the bar.

Bagan showed more urgency in the second half and started attacking Aizawl’s defense with more intent and purpose. The title-winning goal finally came in the 80th minute to send the Kalyani Stadium into a frenzy. It was Beitia again who accelerated and having reached closer to the box, squared to Diawara who was following Beitia from the right. Kasagga could have done better to stop the ball from arriving at the eventual Hero of the Match, but once it was with him and with space in front of him, it was always going to be dangerous.

Diawara dished out a lesson in clinical finishing to aspiring strikers in the country, bringing out his best under pressure while unleashing a fierce grounder which not only beat the keeper but left him as a spectator as it lodged itself into the back of the Aizawl net.

The goal was a huge blow for Aizawl who struggled to get back into the game. Bagan stood firm till the final whistle to register an important win that sealed the league title.