Mumbai in search of a fillip

MUMBAI: A 5-0 thrashing at the hands of FC Goa leaves Mumbai City with just one win in four games. And with a struggling Delhi Dynamos up next, Jorge Costa’s team will aim to get the better when the two teams meet at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Saturday.

After an uplifting home win against FC Pune City — a team that had beaten the islanders on three previous home visits — Mumbai were torn apart by Goa, who scored four goals in the second half. Their inability to finish off chances did not help their cause. “We made a lot of mistakes but in the first half, we played well. They (team) did everything I asked. They pressed high and moved the ball well. When Goa started to build the game, we had 5-6 clear chances to score. But we made the mistake of not scoring,” said Mumbai City coach Jorge Costa. But Costa added that he was ‘ashamed’ and left fuming by his team’s attitude in the second half and urged his players to fight. “In the second half, the first 20 minutes was not bad and then we gave up. That is why I was upset; we just gave up. In the last 15 minutes we saw the team waiting for the game to finish.”

Mumbai will certainly have to buck on Lucian Goian and Subhasish Bose — a natural wingback taking more responsibility. The return of midfielder Matias Mirabaje could provide more penetration. Delhi, who were held by Chennaiyin FC, also have some work to do.

Meanwhile, ATK beat Chennaiyin FC 2-1 on Friday with strikes from Kalu Uche (3) and John Johnson (13). Carlos Salom (17) hit the only goal for Chennaiyin.

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