Kolkata: Mumbai City FC (MUFC) made an impactful start to their Durand Cup 2023 journey. With a scoreline of 3-1, the Islanders enjoy an easy win over the local favourites at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
The Islanderd went three up in the first 35 minutes of the game, however the Panthers got their confidence back with a strike from David Lalhlansanga. Rostyn Griffiths, Jorge Peryra Diaz and Lalianzuala Chhangte scored for Mumbai.
Mumbai got on early lead in 12th minute when Australian defender Griffiths rose high on the back post off a corner by talisman Greg Stewart, to head home. The ball hit the underside of the bar before going in.
An eventful first half with 3 goals by @MumbaiCityFC and 1 goal by @MohammedanSC #IndianOilDurandCup #DurandCup2023 #132ndEditionofDurandCup #DurandCupPoweredByCoalIndiaLtd #IndianFootball #IndianFootballForwardTogether #ManyChampionsOneLegacy #MDSCMCFC pic.twitter.com/MGMaXYePiS
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 5, 2023
Just over 10 minutes later, another foreigner scored, this time Argentine striker Jorge Peryra Diaz, who tapped in a rebound off keeper Jongte after Spaniard Alberto Ripoll had shot at goal.
About 10 minutes later, Ripoll found Bipin Singh’s rampaging run on the left wing, which helped put the issue to rest. Bipin’s measured cross across the face of the goal was met by Chhangte, who made no mistake.
The Black and Whites then enthralled the crowd with their own goal, as Samad Mallick’s cross from a short corner saw David rise wonderfully to head in. The lemon-break provided much hope to the local fans.
Both the teams missed some golden opportunities, mostly by Mumbai forwards like of Bipin Singh and others. Scoring the goals could have made a greater impact on the scoreline and mindset of the players.
⏪ Reliving Bipin's unforgettable last minute winner 🆚 Mohammedan SC that put us in the Durand Cup final last season 😍
मंडळी, drop in your predictions for our game today 💬#MumbaiCity #AamchiCity #DurandCup2023 pic.twitter.com/c6YaVopsAR
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) August 5, 2023
In the 55th minute Alexis Gomez missed a sitter and a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, when off a Remsanga cut back inside the Mumbai box, he found himself in the clear but his right footer was way off target. That was Remsanga’s last contribution as Ganesh Besra replaced him soon after.
Bipin Singh then had a shot hit the bar in the 65th as MCFC pressed hard to put the game beyond the local side. Mohammedan were also getting their chances and in the 79th, substitutes Besra and Tanmoy Ghosh combined with the latter’s flying header just off the target.
Upcoming matches (6th August, 2023)
Match 05 Delhi FC to take on Hyderabad FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at 2.30pm local time.
Match 06 Emami East Bengal will go against Bangladesh Army Football Team at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata at 4.45pm IST.
Score :
Mumbai City FC– 3 (Rostyn Griffiths 12’ Peryra Diaz 23’ Chhangte 35’)
Mohammedan Sporting – 1 (David 40’)
