MARGAO: Salgaocar FC put up a commendable performance to ground Mumbai FC 3-1 in their Hero I-League Round 13 match, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here, on Saturday. The Goan outfit led 2-0 at half time.
Salgaocar were in full strength and had major share of exchanges, especially in the second half. Jaison Vales gave them the lead in the fifth minute while medio Bikas Jairu doubled their advantage before the break and Rocus Lamare converted a 64th penalty. Mumbai FC pulled one back in the stoppage time through substitute and former Salgaocar FC striker Milagres Gonsalves.
Salgaocar now have 15 points from 10 matches and moved to the fifth place in the standings. Mumbai FC are on 12 points from 10 matches in the seventh spot.
Salgaocar had suffered a shock 0-3 defeat at the hands of Mumbai FC at the Cooperage last month but this time around there were no surprises as Salgaocar played a methodical game to put it across the visitors.
Jaison Vales (5th), Bikash Jairu (45th) and Rocus Lamare (64th, penalty) all scored for the hosts as Salgaocar accumulated 14 points from 10 matches and displaced Mumbai FC from the sixth spot. Substitute Milagres Gonsalves pulled a goal back for Mumbai FC in added time.
Coach Derrick Pereira kept Scottish striker Darryl Duffy and Yemeni midfielder Khaled Belaid on the bench, ostensibly to give them more time to recover from niggles, but none of them were needed on the field as Salgaocar raced to an early lead.
Douhou Pierre slipped a ball through for Bikash Jairu, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Kunal Sawant but Jaison was on hand to hammer the ball home from close range.
Mumbai FC did not have too many chances but Brazilian striker Josimar Martins should have done better when in front of the goal and Paresh Shivalkar came up with a weak header when Rahul Beke had picked him up with a good cross.
Salgaocar made it 2-0 when Jairu found the back of the net. Again, it was Douhou who started the move and Jaison tested the goalkeeper’s resolve with a powerful attempt which the keeper saved but could do nothing when Jairu headed the subsequent cross in the final minute before change of ends.
In the second session, Mumbai FC were determined to wipe out the deficit. Mohammad Rafi had one of his attempt hit the crossbar and bounce back into play and Salgaocar grabbed the chances that were offered to them.
Salgaocar put the match beyond Mumbai’s reach in the 64th minute when they won a penalty. Nicolau Colao’s cross was intended for Jairu but instead Allan Dias handled it. The referee was quick to award a penalty which captain Rocus Lamare converted without much of a bother.
Mumbai FC pulled a goal back in added time when Milagres Gonsalves headed home Mohammad Rafi’s corner at the far post. Jaison Vales was adjudged Hero-of-the-Match.