Mumbai City FC prevailed in their opening ISL match against FC Pune City in an away match at the Balewadi Stadium by one goal to nil, thanks to a long-range strike by Argentine playmaker Matias Defederico in the second half. The win for Mumbai means they go away with the bragging rights in a tightly contested Maharashtra derby.
FC Pune City had the best chances in the game, with strikers Gustavo Oberman and Jesus Tato going close on a couple of occasions, but Mumbai’s Brazilian goalkeeper Robert Neto stood firm. A clever flick by Uruguayan legend Diego Forlan to Defederico of Mumbai was enough for the Argentine to dispatch the ball in the corner of the net in the second half, scoring the goal which made the difference in the end.
Here’s how each player fared in the match.
FC Pune City
Edel Bete – 6/10
While the Armenian’s heavy build is an asset at times while commanding the penalty area, it let him down as he was unable to react in time to save Matias Defederico’s shot for Mumbai City FC’s goal. Didn’t have much to do otherwise in the match, and did the basics right.
Rahul Bheke – 6/10
The Pune right back started the match brightly and set the tone early with a couple of crunching tackles. However, he lost the ball a couple of times and was culpable in some nervous moments for Pune. Almost scored the winner in the end with a long-range volley.
Eduardo Ferreira – 6.5/10
A composed performance at centre back was let down by a moment of hesitancy as he failed to close down Mumbai playmaker Matias Defederico in time to prevent the only goal of the match.
Gouramangi Singh – 7/10
If Gouramangi Singh’s performance today is anything to go by, he looks like having a solid performance at centre back for FC Pune City this season. Gouramangi rolled back the years and nipped any danger from Mumbai in the bud. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.
Narayan Das – 6.5/10
The Indian international carried his form into the ISL, delivering a solid, no-nonsense performance at left back. His crossing was excellent and almost provided the perfect ball on a couple of occasions towards the end.
Jonatan Lucca – 6/10
The Brazilian did well as a pivot for FC Pune City, regularly breaking down any Mumbai City FC attack. However, he was left lacking in his positioning for Mumbai’s goal, as he failed to see the ball that was delivered to Forlan, which he flicked on for Defederico.
Bruno Arias – 6.5/10
Arias had an excellent first half where he pulled the strings for Pune in the midfield. However, he faded away in the game in the second half and was rightly taken off in the 76th minute for Spaniard Pitu who provided a fresh injection of pace for Pune.
Lenny Rodrigues – 4.5/10
Rodrigues clearly looked out of his depth playing a more advanced role than he’s used to. Did not show enough adventure and confidence on the ball to take his man on, and was sloppy in his passing. A disappointing performance from the former Indian international.
Gustavo Oberman – 5/10
Oberman had the best chance of the first half when Arata’s no look pass found him unmarked in the box but he failed to convert. The man who’s won various tournaments with Argentina at the junior level could have taken up better positions overall.
Arata Izumi – 6.5/10
Arata saw little of the ball throughout the match, as the ball found itself stuck in the midfield most of the time. However, he picked his passes well whenever he got the ball, provided the pass of the match for Gustavo Oberman in the first half. Was substituted in the 62nd minute for Francis Fernandes.
Jesus Rodriguez Tato – 6/10
A good first half from the Spaniard where he kept the Mumbai defence on their toes gave way to a mixed second half where he lacked his finishing prowess. Had Pune’s best chance of the second half when they broke free on the counter, but instead of passing it to an unmarked Ndoye, he selfishly shot at goal only for Neto to save easily.
Substitutes
Momar Ndoye – 7/10
Ndoye came on for Gustavo Oberman at half time. The 24-year-old Senegalese linked up well with Tato on the left wing but did not show enough composure to deliver the final ball. However, his running and commitment could not be doubted. Was Pune’s main attacking threat in the second half.
Pitu – N/A
Pitu was brought on for Bruno Arias in the 76th minute.
Francis Fernandes – 6/10
Francis Fernandes was brought on for Arata Izumi in the 62nd minute. Had some bright sparks, including playing a part in the counter-attack which Tato wasted, but did not demand the ball enough by coming into central spaces.
Mumbai City FC
Robert Volpato Neto – 8/10
The Brazilian did well whenever he was tested, and was vocal throughout the match helping his defenders with their positioning. Made a crucial one on one save to deny Gustavo Oberman in the first half, and another to block a Tato shot in the second.
Aiborlang Khongjee – 6.5/10
Khongjee delivered a solid performance at right back, though he looked nervous in his passing on a couple of occasions. Did not venture forward as much as his left back Sena Ralte and eventually got the job done at the back.
Anwar Ali – 8/10
A rock at the back, the former Delhi Dynamos defender looks like he’s in the best shape of his career. Sniffed out any danger from midfield and the flanks, and looked assured overall.
Lucian Goian - 6.5/10
The Romanian earned a needless yellow and looked a little caught out in his first match for Mumbai City FC. Will probably grow as the tournament progresses, but was lucky to have Anwar partnering him at centre back to cover for him on a couple of occasions.
Sena Ralte – 8/10
Barring an error in the first half where he needlessly gave away a corner, Ralte delivered the complete full back performance, excellent in his positional sense while defending and dangerous going forward, he gave the Pune right back Rahul Bheke a horrible time.
Krisztian Vadocz – 7/10
Vadocz delivered an underrated, calm performance in midfield. His passes were precise and he sped up play at the first opportunity.
Pronay Halder – 5.5/10
Delivered an inconsistent performance for his team in midfield. More was expected from the Indian international, as he could never find his range in passing and gave the ball away on a number of occasions. Was lucky to have Vadocz by his side.
Sehnaj Singh – 7/10
The Indian youngster who played at right back for Delhi Dynamos in previous seasons did well in a more advanced role on the right wing for Mumbai. Was calm on the ball and always released it in time.
Leo Costa – 7/10
Costa used his body well and had an interesting battle going on in midfield with Jonathan Lucca, in which he came out on top the majority of the time. Was Mumbai’s chief creative spark once Matias Defederico was taken off.
Diego Forlan - 6.5/10
The Uruguayan legend was economical in his running and looked isolated up front for Mumbai for large parts of the game. However, he provided the crucial touch for Defederico to slot the ball into the net, and that’s what made the difference in the end. Also lacked service for large parts of the match.
Matias Defederico – 8.5/10
Easily the best player on the pitch tonight, Defederico looked a class act with his dribbling in tight places while cutting in from the wings. Scored a brilliant goal from outside the box, and deservedly earned his rest in the 72nd minute when he was substituted for Cafu.
Substitutes
Otacilio Brito Alves (Cafu) – 6/10
Cafu came on for Matias Federico in the 73rd minute. Provided good energy going forward and had a couple of shots on target.
Gerson – N/A
Gerson came on for Diego Forlan in the 83rd minute.
Jackichand Singh – N/A
Jackichand Singh came on for Leo Costa in the 90th minute and provided a couple of sparks, but nothing to write home about.
