Mumbai City FC got their first victory this season as they defeated Maharashtran rivals FC Pune City 2-0 in the Indian Super League at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday.
Modou Sougou netted his first goal for Mumbai in the 25th minute and a neat penalty from Rafael Bastos in the 45th ensured that Mumbai City FC walked away with the win over Miguel Angel Portugal’s side.
Paulo Machado’s cross, which hit the crossbar and rebounded, was calmly slotted into the net from a close-range by the Senegalese Sougou to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead. Emiliaro Alfaro tried his best to level the scores at the other end and even appealed for a penalty after he was brought down from a challenge by Subhashish Bose.
Eventually, a penalty was awarded but it was to the home side towards the end of the first half when Sougou went down from a challenge by Chhuantea Fanai.
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Bastos then took charge and netted the ball after sending Pune custodian Vishal Kaith the opposite way.
The visitors came out with an attacking intent after the break and the introduction of Marcelinho by coach Portugal explained how badly they needed a goal to reduce the deficit if not equalise. The move almost paid off for Pune with a shot which was safely denied by Amrinder Singh.
Alfaro almost scored Pune’s first goal of the night in the 65th minute from a cross by Golui. But much to the Uruguayan and the visitors’ bad luck, the ball only hit the bar. Jorge Costa tightened the defence of his team to ensure that they two-goal remained intact as his side went to the sixth position in the table.
Image credit- ISL