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A first-half penalty was enough for Mohammedan Sporting Club to beat Mumbai FC in their round nine clash in the I-League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The result took Mohammedan Sporting above Mumbai FC in the table with the Kolkata club now having 10 points from eight matches, while Mumbai FC are now winless in their last six games with their overall tally reading seven points from nine outings.
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Having lost 2-1 against Shillong Lajong FC in their last game, Mohammedan Sporting were determined to start well in this game and had the backing of around 10,000 home fans. It was a very healthy turnout considering that it the first day of Sachin Tendulkar‘s 199th Test match at the Eden Gardens across town.
The hosts created the first real chance of the game as Brazilian defender Luciano Sobrosa produced a fine save off Mumbai FC custodian A.C. Nithinlal after a well-measured corner from Israil Gurung.
Mumbai coach Khalid Jamil started with all his four Afghanistan internationals including Zohib Islam Amiri, who returned from suspension in this game, but it was Mohammedan Sporting who looked more likely to open the scoring. Nidhinlal looked in good form as he was showing good reflexes and also making the right decisions. The Mumbai FC keeper did well to come out and save at the feet of Ajay Singh and also stop Collin Abranches’ effort from just outside the box.
Mohammedan Sporting’s pressure finally paid off when they were awarded a penalty after Ajay’s cross was handled inside the box by Mumbai FC’s Ritesh Perambara. Brazilian striker Josimar stepped-up confidently and found the back of the net. It was Josimar’s seventh goal of this campaign and that temporarily moved him to the top of the individual scoring chart.
Nidhinlal did well to deny Josimar late in the first half but it wasn’t until the second half that Mumbai FC created their first real opening. Afghan striker Sandjar Ahmadi hit the woodwork with a header after losing his marker at the start of the second period. Right at the other end, Mumbai FC central defender Anwar blocked Josimar’s goal-bound effort.
Suddenly it became an end-to-end contest with both keepers being called into action. But as the second half progressed it was Mohammedan Sporting who created the better opportunities. However, the home team were very wasteful infront of goal and that kept Mumbai FC in the game until the very end. The visitors would have equalised but for a brilliant double save from Mohammedan Sporting keeper Ashok Singh denied the visitors.
In the end, Mohammedan Sporting managed to keep their third clean sheet of the campaign and record their third win in their last five matches.
