ISL: Mumbai City FC thrash FC Pune City 5-0 to register first win

Brazilian Andre Moritz was the star of the show for Mumbai City FC grabbing a superb hat-trick

Mumbai needed to rebound and rebound in a big way after their heavy defeat against Atletico de Kokata to open the tournament. Personnel changes were needed and rightly effected by coach Peter Reid and boy did they pay off! The first ‘Maha Derby’ was a no-contest as Mumbai pummelled Pune into submission in a 5-0 win at home at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

It was obvious to everyone watching that Brazilian Andre Moritz made a significant difference after coming on as a substitute in the first game. His reward for his sprightly performance was a start in the ‘Maha Derby’. Tiago Ribeiro didn’t make way, rather found himself at left-back where he slotted in very well indeed and Subhash Singh started in place of the disappointing Diego Nadaya. Nadong Bhutia took the place of injured India international Syed Rahim Nabi.

Pune too made four changes Dudu coming in for Mathani, Wadoo in for Kwang Il Park, Gonzalez on for Gurung and Pritam Kotal on for Magliocchetti.

Mumbai blitz Pune in the first half

Pune though actually started the brighter of the two sides with some probing play in the first 10 minutes and Mumbai still looked jittery at the back with right-back Peter Costa conceding a litany of fouls and getting booked within three minutes, but Mumbai scored first.

Moritz responded to his start with a man of the match performance. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute after receiving a nice cutback from Lalrindika ‘Didika’ Ralte. He cut inside and scored with a fabulous strike that gave Pune custodian Emanuele Belardi no chance.

10 minutes later Frenchman David Trezeguet came so close to levelling it up for Pune. Off a ball put into the box, Trezeguet didn’t have many options on hand and chose to attempt a bicycle kick which beat Subrata Paul, but unfortunately thudded back off the crossbar and Mumbai still had their lead.

And they were made to pay soon after as three minutes later Moritz scored his and Mumbai’s second, ghosting across to head in a Didika corner. Belardi in fact had conceded the corner after effecting a brilliant save to prevent Nadong Bhutia’s header from nestling in the net.

With a double advantage now, Pune’s attack regressed back to the levels we saw against Delhi. Dudu had a chance with a header off a cross from wide right, but he put it wide.

By now Mumbai were rolling though and the trio of Subhash Singh, Moritz and Jan Stohanzl was creating havoc for Pune’s defenders. On one of the moves, Subhash was released wide on the right and he cut it back to Didika whose shot was saved by Beraldi. The third though came soon enough with Subhash, who was full of running through the match, was played through by a lovely ball from Stohanzl and he made no mistake with a powerful finish.

Subhash Singh was brilliant for Mumbai replacing Diego Nadaya in attack

Five minutes later Subhash almost had another as a calamitous back-pass error gifted the ball to Subhash whose shot went just wide. Mumbai had their passing game well and truly going and had nice little attacking triangles going, especially down the right hand side.

Clinical Mumbai finish Pune off in the second

The second half began at a much more sedate pace as against the high tempo of the first half. It took 10 minutes for the first real chance to be fashioned and it was Moritz again, who this time shot wide. Pune hardly threatend in the second too and with the result looking to be in the bag, Reid brought on Freddie Ljungberg to give him a run out in the 68th minute for Stohanzl.

Ljungberg came on to a loud reception, but that level was breached three minutes later for the ball was once again in the back of the net and Moritz had had his hat-trick. Once again capitalizing on some shocking defending, Moritz picked up the ball with space to run and shifted it to his right foot once inside the box and drove it into the corner to send the D.Y. Patil rapturous with elation. He left the pitch to a standing ovation on 81 minutes when he made way for Asif Kottayil.

It was well and truly turning into a horror night for the Pune defence, much as the case was for Mumbai in their first match, almost like a reversal of fortunes. Their defence which received so much praise against Delhi was being cut to shreds by Mumbai’s slick passing game and counter-attacking. There was to be one final blow as Letzelter got one after being left with the easiest of finishes after Bhutia effortlessly made his way into Pune’s box again and cut it back for the Frenchman.

Pavel Cmovs, Manuel Friedrich and Subrata Paul, who were left with so much work to do against Kolkata were untroubled this time around. All in all, a perfect evening for Mumbai City FC and a smashing home debut, one that will resonate long amongst the fans for years to come.

Subhash Singh picked up the Moment of the Match award for his goal as well as the Emerging Player award, Didika picked up the Fittest Player of the Match award and Moritz expectedly walked away with the Man of the Match award.