Mumbai FC totally outplayed Bengaluru FC coasting to an authoritative 2-0 victory in a fourth round match of the 2015-2016 AIFF Hero I-League football tournament, and played at the Cooperage ground on Wednesday evening.
Mumbai FC nidfielder Izumi Arata scores the opening goal against Bengaluru FC during their I-League match at the Cooperage ground on Wednesday.
The Mumbai team got their goals through Izumi Arata in the 5th minute and Min-Chol Son in the 11th minute.
This was the second straight win for Mumbai FC’s and they are unbeaten in four games. They had defeated Salgaocar, Goa 2-1 in the last match. The Mumbai side and East Bengal have the same number of 8 points each, but the latter with a better goal-difference are placed second behind Bengaluru who have 9 points from their three wins.
The Khalid Jamil coached Mumbai outfit were an inspired and were outstanding in every department as they clinically dismantled the former champs Bengaluru FC to register the first between the two teams in the previous five meetings. The previous four matches ended in draws.
Central defender Min-Chol Son was rock solid in defence and along with the other defenders and midfielders did not allow the visitors to settle down and play their free flowing game. Indian ace striker and captain Sunil Chhetri was kept on a tight leash and became frustrated which resulted in coach Ashley Westwood taking out of the match in the second half.
The home side started in whirlwind fashion hitting the target twice inside the opening 11 minutes. First one came when Arata latched on to a rebound and coolly slotted past Bengaluru goalkeeper L. Ralte in the fifth minute to bring the Mumbai FC fans on their feet, clapping and cheering in jubilation. Six minutes later there was more cheer for the Mumbai FC fans as central defender Son long clearance from just inside the rival half sailed over the outstretched hands of Ralte, who was off his line and into the goal.
Mumbai FC continued to pile on the pressure and should have killed the contest but Sushil Kumar Singh could not do the damage after working perfectly with Ryuki Kozawa to break free in the 40th minute and three minutes later Kozawa, himself wasted a great chance firing wide from close.
In the second period the visitors worked harder and created the better chances but were not allowed many opportunities to have a crack at goal. Substitute Kumam Uddanta Singh and Thoi Singh had the best attempts but without success.
Coach Jamil was thrilled with the performance of his team and the win. “
Mumbai FC in the next round take on DSK Shivajians in an away match in Pune on February 7 and the next home game will be against Mohun Bagan at the Cooperage on February 10.
Result – Mumbai FC (Izumi Arata 5th, Min-Chol Son 11th) beat Bengaluru FC ). Man-of-the-match: Min-Chol Son