Mumbai City 2-1 Hyderabad FC: 3 reasons why the Islanders posted their first home victory | ISL 2019-20

#1 Modou Sougou rises to the occasion, finally

Modou Sougou is finally off the mark this season. (Image: ISL)

Over the course of the current season, there have been plenty of question marks about Modou Sougou’s diminishing goal returns, especially considering the forward had failed to make the net bulge before Sunday.

However, against Hyderabad FC, the man from Senegal dug deep and unfurled a magnificent brace, thereby setting the platform for the Islanders’ triumph.

Operating on the right flank, Sougou picked and chose his moments to venture in-field to perfection. One such occurrence came about in the 6th minute when he evaded the attention of his marker to make himself available for Carlos’ cut-back. Subsequently, he slotted the ball into the back of the net to enable the hosts to surge ahead.

After the break, the Senegalese was slightly more subdued, in light of Sarthak’s sending off. Yet, that didn’t prevent him from popping up with what ultimately proved to be the winner.

For the second goal, the forward timed his run to perfection and dovetailed with Bidyananda Singh expertly, thereby creating a 1v1 situation against the goalkeeper. Thereafter, Sougou sized up his options and deftly dinked the ball over Kamaljit Singh.

Before the contest, there had been quite a few opinions about Sougou doing the rounds. Yet, when the situation demanded, akin to many a time before, the Senegalese morphed into the guardian angel Mumbai had been craving for.

And, while his goals certainly helped the Islanders win the battle, his upturn in form could also propel them to an ISL conquest.