Goa: Mumbai City FC made it to the AFC Champions League for the next season and claimed the ISL League Winners’ shield after they beat ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday. Mourtada Fall and Bartholomew Ogbeche scored the all-important goals.
The match started with a bang after Fall opened the scoring for the Islanders in the seventh minute from an Ahmed Jahouh free-kick, a powerful header from the league’s all-time top-scoring defender.
The Mariners missed out on their captain Sandesh Jhingan due to an early injury in the first half, which pretty much changed the whole complexion of the game. Although ATKMB came close to scoring quite a few times, they were cut down by a strong Mumbai defence.
The Islanders doubled the lead in the 39th minute from a Hernan Santana free-kick which cluttered the cross-piece and Ogbeche slotted it home on the rebound. Antonio Lopez Habas made necessary changes in the second half to cut short the deficit, bringing in Edu Garcia in place of Tiri, but nothing changed as Mumbai showed great commitment.
With this win, Mumbai City FC booked their spot in the continental showpiece for the next season.
