Mumbai silence Dynamos in ISL
MUMBAI: It was a contest between teams from two of the country’s biggest metros; it was also a meeting of two outfits struggling to find their feet in the Indian Super League. But the home side, Mumbai City FC, managed to beat Delhi Dynamos 2-0 and register their second win of the season. Goals from Modou Sougou and Arnold Issoko, in either half, sealed full points for Mumbai, who can now put behind them their 5-0 thumping by FC Goa.
Delhi may have started on the positive, with winger Lallianzuala Chhangte setting up Romeo Fernandes with a cross from the right, but the Goan could only drive it above the cross bar on the volley. Moments later Andrija Kaludjerovic turned easily in the box to unleash a shot at Mumbai’s goalkeeper Ravi Kumar’s near post from the left. Ravi dived well to keep the Serb out.
Ravi, stepping in for an injured Amrinder Singh, would also pull off an excellent save to deny Chhangte in the second period and keep Mumbai ahead.
Captain Lucian Goain tried his best to rally his backline with gritty tackling. Mumbai responded, trying to force their way through the middle with some quick exchanges but could not find a final pass.
Finally they broke through; one minute shy of the half hour mark after Rafael Bastos floated a long ball across to Issoko, who put in a first time low cross. Sougou slid in between two defenders and finished in the far corner of Francisco Dorronsoro’s goal. Mumbai suddenly switched on. They were quicker to every loose ball and looked confident driving forward.
Minutes after restart, Mumbai almost doubled their lead. Leftback Subhasish Bose, who returned to his natural position out wide, fed Issoko from the middle. The Congolese midfielder was brought down by Rana Gharami inside the box but Bastos shot wide. He made up for his missed penalty, winning the ball in his half and setting up Issoko, who rounded a rushing Dorronsoro outside the box to slot into an empty net for a well-deserved goal 13 minutes from time. SELECTIONS:
1: 2-Pathan, 3-Gnostic Eyes, 4-Oriana. 2: 4-Good Thing, 3-Whitewalker,
6-Bonafide.
3: 5-Charles Bridge, 10-Lethal Steps,
11-Steppenwolf.
4: 9-Arabia, 12-Highland Lass,
5-Officer In Command.
5: 1-Caprisca, 5-Watchmyscript,
6-Raees.
6: 9-Flaming Martini, 7-Sacred Roman,
4-Jetfire.
7: 9-Flammeus, 2-Adele,
1-Desert Pride.
8: 4-Silver Cap, 8-Divine Spark,
7-Fire Flame.
Day’s best: Flaming Martini.
Double: Charles Bridge – Flammeus.