Image Courtesy: Indian Super League Media Team
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Mumbai City FC heaved themselves right back into contention for top four spots, in the Indian Super League (ISL) by getting their first win of the season, against Delhi Dynamos FC, who are the joint table-toppers, right now.
Delhi Dynamos FC, managed by Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos needed atleast a point out of this game to go top of the table. Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, needed to get their campaign on track, as they had not won a single game, before this match. The Mumbaikars seemed determined to catch their opponents by the scruff of their necks, and the ploy worked perfectly, as they ran away 2-0 winners over Delhi Dynamos FC.
The match started-off in a bit of a drab way, but Mumbai City FC had the rub of the green, early on in the match, as a deflected Sony Norde shot fell at the feet of Sunil Chhetri, on the edge of the Delhi penalty box, and the India national team captain showed exactly why he is the best striker in the country, by coolly slotting it into the bottom corner. This 13th minute goal meant that Delhi Dynamos FC now had to chase the game, and go looking for the equaliser. They did have some good chances, with India international Robin Singh getting a few shots off towards Mumbai keeper Subrata Paula s goal, but they were not good enough to beat the Indian custodian.
Late in the second half, it was the combination of Sony and Chhetri once again, that sealed the deals for Mumbai City FC, as the former weaved his way past the Delhi defenders and sent in a low cross across the face of the goal, to an unmarked Chhetri, who was only too grateful, to to take the opportunity, and slotted the ball into an empty goal.
Chhetri, who was named Man of the Match, for scoring the brace, said after the match, a Ita s never nice to play when you have drawn one and lost two (matches). Very happy with the win.
a Hea s (Sony) an excellent player. Its great to play with him,a continued the India captain. a After the first goal, the nerves were calmer. We were just too filled up with not winning the games (before that), and this win really helps.a
Meanwhile, Chhetria s international strike partner Robin Singh, who ended up on the losing side, reiterated on putting this loss behind them, and preparing well for their next match against Atletico de Kolkata (ATK).
He said, a It (the loss) is disappointing, as we’ve been winning all the games. Wea ll be looking to get three points in the next game (against ATK). Definitely going to respect them, but wea ve got to fight for our win as well.a
With this win, Mumbai City FC are no more at the bottom of the ISL table, and are just three points away from the top-four spots. Delhi meanwhile, are still on the second spot in the table, but have played one match more than the teams that are around them, which means that there is a very good chance of them dropping down a few places, if FC Goa and Atletico de Kolkata win their respective matches, later this week.