Image Courtesy: Indian Super League Media Team
Mumbai City FC have put themselves right back into contention for qualifying for the semi finals of the Indian Super League (ISL), with a 2-0 victory over top-dogs FC Goa, at the DY Patil Stadium, in Mumbai, on Sunday.
Manager Nicolas Anelkaa s men put out a fine performance for the victory, as India national team captain Sunil Chhetri and former West Ham United forward Frederic Piquionned got themselves onto the scoresheet, as Mumbai City FC completed a comprehensive victory over FC Goa.
It was a crucial win for Mumbai, who were struggling at the bottom of the league, and now have been able to haul themselves out to within two points of the top-four of the table.
Mumbai City FC started off the match well, keeping long bouts of possession in the FC Goa half, and getting in a lot of shots on goal. However, it was a penalty that opened-up the socres in the match, after Raju Gaikwad pulled Piquionne inside the box.
Chhetri stepped up to take the spot kick, and slotted it into his favourite bottom-left corner with great aplomb. By the end of the first half, Mumbai City FC had seven shots on goal, while a hapless FC Goa had none.
The hosts made a great start to the second half as well, with they completed a brilliantly worked-out set piece, with Piquionne getting his head on to the end of a Juan Aguilera cross, to double the lead for Mumbai City FC.
FC Goa did try and attack the Mumbai goal more in the second half but they lacked the penetration to go out there, and get it. In fact, it was Mumbai City FC, who again had the best chance after the second goal, as Goa custodian Laxmikant Kattimani failed to hold on to a lose ball.
Chhetri immediately got hold of it, as the FC Goa goal was left wide open, for a split second. That however, was not enough for the India captain to turn and slot it in.
Kattimani had had gotten back into a proper angle by the time Chhetri turned and tried to chip the keeper, who collected the lobbed ball like an apple from a tree. The India captain had the option of passing the ball.
FC Goa, who could have gone four points into the lead, at the top of the table with a win in this match, are still sitting on the top of the league, but could go down, if FC Pune City win their match against Kerala Blasters FC, on Tuesday.
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