BREAKING: Mohun Bagan crowned Champions of I-League 2019-20

Kolkata football giants Mohun Bagan AC win the I-League title of 2019-20 after defeating Aizawl FC 1-0 in the clash at the Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday. Papa Diawara's scintillating strike in the 79th minute came as the decider for the Green and Maroon army.

Bagan forward Beitia made a briliant run through the defence and laid it off to Papa, his ninth assist of the season just outside the box, who rifled the ball into the bottom right corner of goal.

The Mariners maintain a 14-game unbeaten record to secure the crown that it had last won in 2015. Currently on 39 points from 16 matches, Bagan made its final I-League season memorable by winning the league. The win made Bagan the second team in the history of the tournament, after Dempo FC (in 2009-2010), to wrap up the title with four rounds to spare.

Papa Diawara struck in the 79th minute (Image: The Telegraph)

Mohun Bagan’s task became easier on Monday after its traditional rival East Bengal got the better of Real Kashmir FC with an injury-time winner in Srinagar. With most of the sides having five rounds to play, the best any of Bagan’s challengers can now manage is 38 points.

Mariner Coach Kivu Vicuna was cautious in its approach in the hard-earned (1-1) draw in the last match at home against holder Chennai City FC. Bagan’s earlier meeting with Aizawl, which happened to be the first round of the season at the latter’s home, ended in a goalless affair. What made Vicuna even more circumspect was the fact that the host will be missing its key defender Francisco Morante owing to suspension.