Navi Mumbai: Mumbai City FC moved out of the cellar position with a facile 2-0 victory over FC Goa in the Hero Indian Super League clash at D Y Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
Mumbai City FC were struggling during the early part of their ISL 2015 campaign and even after registering a victory in their previous clash against Delhi Dynamos, they could not move up the ladder. On Sunday, however, goals from Sunil Chhetri (penalty, 33rd minute) and Frederic Piquionne (48th minute) ensured an easy win over FC Goa and a mid-table position.
FC Goa were considerably weakened due to injury to several players but the visitors started well. They had their first chance in the sixth minute when Leo Moura's corner kick saw Raju Gaikwad get a touch to it but Victorino Fernandes, who was unmarked, failed to direct his header inside the goal.
Mumbai City FC rode the initial storm and started playing confidently. Two of their penalty appeals were turned down when Piquionne and Gabriel Fernandes appeared to have been fouled inside the danger zone but the referee spotted an infringement in the 32nd minute when Piquionne tumbled under pressure from Gaikwad inside the danger zone.
Sunil Chhetri took the responsibility from the resultant penalty kick and made no mistake to give Mumbai the lead.
Chhetri could have added to his and Mumbai’s tally in the 39th minute when he trapped Ashutosh Mehta’s throw in and turned to take everyone by surprise but Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani dived full-length to keep his team in the game.
Kattimani was called into action again in the 40th minute when Chhetri’s through ball saw Piquionne all alone and with only the goalkeeper to beat but Kattimani did well to save the French striker’s attempt.
Mumbai City doubled their lead immediately after resumption of play in the second session. In the 48th minute, Sony Norde smartly passed the ball from a free-kick to Juan Aguilera whose cross towards the goal was buried into the net by a diving Piquionne.
Goa had more than just a couple of chances after being 0-2 down to get something out of the game but their strikers were wayward. Victorino in particular missed two gilt-edge chances while Leo Moura’s beautiful curling effort from outside the box was saved by Mumbai City goalkeeper Subrata Paul.
The win gave Mumbai City FC seven points from five matches, the same as defending champions Atletico de Kolkata who are placed fifth on the table.
FC Goa continue to lead the table with 10 points from six matches.
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