Goa: Mumbai City dominated their way to a 3-1 win over Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Tuesday(January 5). Matourda Fall and Bipin Singh both netted one for the visitors with another one coming from an own goal by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu while Sunil Chhetri netted one for the home side.
Sergio Lobera set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mourtada Fall being paired with Hernan Santana at the heart of the defence. Rowlin Borges alongside Ahmed Jahou formed a double pivot in the middle of of the park. Adam Le Fondre lead the forwardline alongside Renier Fernandes and Bipin Singh with Hugo Boumous playing as a no.10 behind them.
Both the sides started the match well, Bengaluru’s Deshorn Brown went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but his shot went over the bar. However, Mumbai broke deadlock shortly courtesy of a thumping header by Mourtada Fall from a corner which was not dealt well by the Bengaluru defence.
Mumbai firmed their grip on the match and extended the lead when full-back Mandar Rao Desai’s whipping cross into the box found Bipin Singh who slotted it on the volley beating goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Bengaluru got a few good chances throughout the first half but lacked the finishing. However, Mumbai in the second half put the foot on the accelerator creating more opportunities.
Bengaluru found hope in the second half, when Cleiton Silva was taken down in the box by Mourtada with Sunil Chhetri stepping up and converting his spot kick expertly.
But Mumbai were just too good for the Blues on the night and the former got their third when goalkeeper Sandhu stumbled in saving a header from Bartholomew Ogbeche before the ball got to his own net.
However, Ahmed Jahou was sent off towards the end for a bad challenge on Dimas Delgado seeing his second yellow card. The Islanders moved to table leaders taking full three points from the match.
