Taking in their stride the absence of several first-choice players in their ranks, Mumbai FC put up a strong performance but all the hard work went in vain as Aizawl FC scored a surprising a 2-0 win from this round nine I-League 2015-16 match at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Aizawl, Mizoram, on Saturday afternoon.
Nigerian striker Joel Sunday Ayeni making his debut came off the bench early in the second half to score the first goal in the 66th minute before H. Lalmuankima added the second in the 68th minute to secure the win and the three points for the home team.
Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil made four changes to the team, which lost the last game 3-2 to Sporting Clube de Goa. With skipper Taisuke Matsugae, dependable defenders Min-Chol Son and Ashutosh Mehta, all recovering from injuries, Jamil started with Clyde Fernandes, Asif Kottayil, Steven Dias and Jayesh Rane for the game. Srikanth Ramu, Arata Izumi and NP Pradeep were left on the bench.
On the other hand the North-Eastern side also made quite a few changes to the team with Zothanmawia wearing the goalkeeper’s gloves instead of Soram Anganba. Lalchawnkima, B. Zoramthara, R. Malsawmtluanga and H. Lalbiakthanga were also preferred in the first 11 in place of Emanuel Chigozie, Yuta Kinowaki, David Lalrinmuana and F. Lalrinpuia.
There was an even battle for ball possession and midfield dominance during the early part of the game and there were just a handful of goal scoring attempts at either goal. However, after a little past the half hour mark, the visitor suffered a blow as defender Allan Dias sustained an ankle injury from a clash with rival attacker had had to taken off the field on stretcher. Srikant Ramu came in as a substitute.
His injury seemed to have proved costly as thereafter the hosts started to create openings and put pressure on the Mumbai FC defence, which did well to put up a resolute display and ensure the scoreboard was blank at the end of the first session.
The best chance in the first period for Mumbai FC came in the 38th minute. But Ryuji Kozawa and Sushil Singh were unable to get to the end of a Jayesh Rane cross from left flank.
The second half continued on the same lines as the first, but Aizawl made a couple of substitutions and Joel Sunday who replaced Zoramthara in the 46th minute immediately made his presence felt. Sunday with a long range try tested Mumbai FC goalkeeper Pawan Kumar, who coolly dealt with the shot in the 50th minute.
But after a further 15 minutes, Sunday finally managed to beat goalkeeper Kumar to put his team in front. Sunday did well to tap home after Lalmuankima had done the spadework. Three minutes, later Aizawl doubled the lead when Lalmuankima scored from Zohmingmawia’s cross from the left.
Mumbai FC fought on gamely and coach Jamil brought on Izumi Arata for Steven Dias and Malemngamba Meetei for Ryuki Kozawa, but the home side defended stoutly to deny Mumbai from finding the net and clinch the win.
Mumbai FC stay in fifth position with nine points from eight games, while Aizawl FC with the three points now tally eight points and climb to the seventh position.
In the next round Mumbai FC will host Sporting Clube de Goa at the Cooperage ground on Saturday, February 27.
Result: Aizawl FC 2 (Joel Sunday Ayeni 66th, H. Lalmuankima 68th) beat Mumbai FC 0. Man of the Match: H. Lalmuankima (Aizawl FC).