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Mumbai FC successfully bagged their first three points after a 3-0 victory over Salgaocar FC at the Cooperage stadium, Mumbai. Sampat Kuttymani gave the home team the much-needed lead at the beginning of the game from a screamer of a shot. Josimar increased the lead when he converted from a brilliant floating cross from Jayesh Rane.
A newly refurbished Cooperage witnessed the second match of the Hero I-League 2015 where the local side Mumbai FC hosted Salgaocar FC.
Derrick Perriera’s men visited Mumbai high on confidence after their thumping home victory against East Bengal while Mumbai FC were coming off a draw in their previous encounter against a strong Sporting Clube de Goa side.
Mumbai FC took their chances in the first half
The hosts were ahead in just the sixth minute of the game when Sampat Kuttymani scored a blinder of a goal from 20 yards away from goal. Jayesh Rane ran down the left flank brilliantly and passed the ball to Taisuke Matsugae who laid off to Kuttymani. Subrata Pal practically had no chance of stopping such a brilliant shot.
Salgaocar pressed continuously after conceding. They almost had a chance to equalize in the 21st minute, when Clifton Dias attempted a long ranger. But Nidhin Lal, the experienced custodian of Mumbai FC, pulled off a great save.
Mumbai FC’s lead was doubled by their Brazilian forward Josimar D’Silva who scored from an opportunistic header from Jayesh Rane’s floating cross from the right wing. Salgaocar dominated possession for the rest of the half, but were stopped in the attacking third by the defensive pair of Chika Wali and Justin Stephen.
Salgaocar dominated possession but didn't create much in the second half
In the second half, Salgaocar looked more desperate for goals for obvious reasons. Khalid Jameel’s side took a defensive approach and mostly concentrated on blocking Salgaocar’s attacks.
Gurjinder got an opportunity at the beginning of the second half. His pile driver from a free-kick was once again brilliantly saved by Nidhin Lal. Salgaocar added more attacking options, bringing in Bikash Jairu, but failed to break Mumbai FC’s defensive organization.
Salagaocar dominated possession and attacked more in the second half. At one point they almost had 70% of the ball possession. Khalid Jameel’s instructions to his boys was simple – block the opponent’s attackers in the midfield area itself. Only Josimar was left alone up-front to continue pressurising the Goan defense.
Jayesh Rane, who was undoubtedly the player of the game, put the last nail in the Salgaocar coffin in the 90th minute. Mumbai FC counter-attacked and Rane scored an opportunistic goal.
Mumbai FC will gain a lot of confidence from this home win and it should go a long way to helping them in the season ahead.
