Spirited Mumbai FC score over Wahingdoh

Spirited Mumbai FC score over Wahingdoh

Mumbai, February 20:

Mumbai FC showed great character and resilience to record a come from behind 2-1 victory against leaders Royal Wahingdoh, Shillong in a Hero I-League match played under floodlights at the Cooperage ground, Friday. Playwin is the official sponsor of Mumbai FC, the lone club from Mumbai participating in this competition.

This was the second successive win for Mumbai FC, who now have 7 points from six games, but stay in 8^th place. Mumbai FC had last week defeated fancied Salgaocar SC, Goa by a convincing 3-0 margin. Wahingdoh, who suffered their second defeat in 7 games continue to occupy the top position with 13 points.

The home side were unlucky to fall in arrears by conceding a soft goal in the 14^th minute. Against the run of play Wahingdoh striker Bekay Bawar’s shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off a defender and nestled into the left corner with goalkeeper Nidhinlal A.C. going the wrong way. The score remained 1-0 in favour of the visitors at the end of the half.

However, on resumption the local challengers returned with renewed vigour and were totally a transformed lot. Japanese medio Taisuke Matsuge along with young Jayesh Rane and in company of Sampath Kuttimani and Reisangmi Vashum took control of the midfield and created a series of opening into the rival territory and gradually turned things around.

It was only a matter of time before Mumbai FC drew level and six minutes into the second half, they neutralised the lead through Justine Stephen. Following Allan Dias’ long throw-in from the left, the Wahingdoh defenders failed to clear the ball away and an alert Stephen pounced on the opportunity to tap home from close to bring cheer to the over 3000 odd supporters who had once again turned up for the match.

Goalmouth action during the Mumbai FC and Royal Wahingdoh I-League match held at Cooperage on Friday.

Mumbai FC continued to exert pressure of the rival citadel and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal also from a similar situation in the 73^rd minute. Another long throw by Dias from the left landed inside the opponents box and once again the defenders delayed in getting ball away and this time Mohammed Rafi seized the chance to slot home from the close to trigger another round of celebrations among the fans.

In the remaining period the visitors tried their best to get the equalising goal but some stout defending and some timely anticipation by goalkeeper Nindhinlal ensured that the Mumbai trooped out worthy winners.

“All credit to the boys. They didn’t lose the morale despite conceding the advantage by being one goal down and came back strongly to win the match,” said a satisfied Jamil.

A charged up Mumbai FC will now travel to Pune to take on Bharat FC on February 27.

Results:

Mumbai FC 2 (Justine Stephen 51^st, Mohammed Rafi 73^rd) beat Royal Wahingdoh 1 (Bekay Bawar 14^th).