INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE Mumbai up against in-form Chennaiyin

Mumbai City will meet an in-form Chennaiyin in their fifth match of the Indian Super League Season Four at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Sunday.

After 2-3 loss to FC Goa in their opening fixture, Chennaiyin trounced NorthEast United 3-0 at home, defeated Pune City 1-0 in an away game and registered a thrilling 3-2 win at home against ATK on Thursday for their third consecutive win.

The hosts on the other hand will be relieved to be back home again where they registered only win of the league over FC Goa (21).

Mumbai lost away games to Bengaluru FC (0-2) and Pune City (1-2) before managing a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters in Kochi courtesy late equaliser from their in-form striker Balwant Singh.

“We are prepared for everything. Most important is for us to control the game. We have showed that we are improving with each game. It’s not easy in Kochi because of the fantastic atmosphere. We have returned with a point which is important. That will give us confidence for the home games,” Mumbai skipper Lucian Goian said.

Balwant scored a stunning goal against Pune and followed it up with a crucial strike against the Blasters.

Their Costa Rican coach Alexandre Guimaraes has relied on defence to collect points. Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh has made the most saves (16) so far in the tournament and Romania’s Goian has led the other defenders well. But brief lapses in concentration have cost them Mumbai vs Chennaiyin matches.

For the visitors Jeje Lalpekhlua scored a brace in the last game, lifting the spirits of his team.

They will welcome back their injured midfielder Raphael Augusto who was kept out of last game against ATK as ‘precautionary measure’.

Augusto has already scored twice along with Inigo Calderon. Mohammad Rafi has been on the score sheet once.

“We had a poor first 45 minutes in our first game, but since then we have managed to put together a couple of good results and we desperately want to keep it going,” said Chennaiyin coach John Gregory.

In the day’s second match, Jamshedpur FC will host FC Pune City. Barasat (West Bengal), Dec. 9: East Bengal roared back to form with a 5-1 demolition of Shillong Lajong FC in an I-League match here on Saturday.

Desperate for their first win after a 2-2 draw with Aizawl FC and a 0-1 loss to Mohun Bagan, East Bengal looked hungry for goals with Mahmoud Al Amna (14) and Eduardo Ferreira (19) giving them a 2-0 cushion at half time.

After the break as Laldanmawia Ralte (53rd and 65) completed a brace before Katsumi Yusa (79) converted a penalty to complete the rout and jump to fourth in the standings with four points from three outings.

For the visitors, Samuel Lalmuanpuia (87th) netted the consolation goal.

In Kozhikode, two firsthalf goals from Felix Chidi and Pritam Singh and a sublime header from Ronald Singh completed a 3-0 win for Neroca FC over Gokulam FC. It was Neroca’s first win in the tournament.

Chidi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Pritam doubled the lead in the 43rd minute before Ronald struck (90+4). in added time BAGAN FACE CHURCHILL A confident Mohun Bagan will look to guard against complacency against Churchill Brothers on Sunday.

The home side sit on the third place with four points and they can join leaders Minerva Punjab FC at the top if they earn full points. Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 1-0 in their last match. Churchill suffered a 0-2 defeat against Shillong Lajong.

“It’s true that we have won the derby but we can improve. We are not overconfident. We want to win the match but at the same time we not ready to underestimate (Churchill) even as they are yet to win,” Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen said.

“We have to stay grounded and start afresh. Any team can give their best when they take on Mohun Bagan. We have to be ready for every situation.”

— PTI