ISL 2023-24: We’ve got to take the positives – Jason Cummings after final loss against Mumbai City FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant striker Jason Cummings said they have got to take the positives despite losing the ISL Cup final against Mumbai City FC by 3-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata on Saturday.

It was Cummings who scored against the run of play at the stroke of half-time to put his team in front. However, the Islanders bounced back strongly as Jorge Pereyra Diaz scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute whereas Boris Singh scored the lead-taking goal in the 81st minute. Jakub Vojtus then scored in the stoppage time to put the game to bed and helped Mumbai City FC clinch their second ISL trophy.

Cummings, who scored 12 goals in 23 matches for the Mariners in ISL 2023-24, said Mumbai City FC deserved to win as they showed more hunger on the pitch.

“It’s just the final, you know. The better team won on the day. I feel they wanted it more, they played better. And that just happens sometimes in football, you win some, you lose some. That’s life,” stated Cummings while speaking to www.indiansuperleague.com after the match.

He added, “We’ve got to take the positives. We’ve had a good season. Winning the Shield was a memorable moment. We’re obviously devastated. We’re gutted. We wanted to win it for the fans. They supported us all season. And they were there today cheering us on. And it just wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t our day. So that’s it.”

MBSG won the Durand Cup and ISL League Shield title by topping the league stage standings.

Excited about the upcoming season, the 28-year-old shared, “We’re looking forward to that. Firstly, we enjoy the break, it’s been a long season. Now it’s time to go back and spend some time with family and friends. And you know we’ll come back stronger. And it’s going to be an exciting season, next season. So you know we’re looking forward to that. So it’s going to be a good challenge for us in the AFC (Champions League 2). And you know we’re more than capable. So we need to obviously learn.”

On the other hand, Dimitri Petratos was proud of the way they played throughout the season.

“Today was I guess not our day. We played better games, but we can’t win them all. I am proud of the boys, all the players. Everybody put in the effort throughout the whole season, but that just didn’t happen today, that’s all,” stated Petratos.