Team Herald
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PANJIM: Hugo Boumous scored on his return from injury as Mumbai City FC recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League played at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Saturday.
The Frenchman was instrumental in the first goal as well as he went down in the box to earn his side an early third-minute penalty which was converted by Adam Le Fondre.
Boumous, however, was unlucky not to get his second after he was denied from the spot-kick.
The match was more about missed chances and saves from the keepers, especially Amrinder, who came with breath-taking saves to maintain his sides’ fifth clean sheet of the campaign.
Mumbai now extended their unbeaten run to seven games and climbed to the top position with 19 points, two ahead of ATK Mohun Bagan.
Both teams made a couple of changes to their line-ups, Boumous and Mandar Rao Dessai returned to Sergio Lobera’s starting XI while for Kerala, Costa Nhamoinesu and Lalthathanga Khawlhring were named ahead of Abdul Hakku and Rahul KP.
With the entire squad available for selection, Sergio Lobera fielded a strong line-up which earned them an early goal. Boumous capitalized on a miss pass from Kerala and the Frenchman was fouled in the box by Kerala defender. Le Fondre stepped up and sent the ball straight, which touch the keeper and enter the net.
Mumbai doubled their lead in the 11th minute. This time it was Boumous, who slammed past Albino, after being fed by Ahmed Jahouh from his own half from a free-kick.
Sergio Lobera should be frustrated on touchline with the number of chances his side missed in the first half as they should have been easily up by more goals.
Kerala took time to get into the game and had a couple of tries at the rival goal forcing Amrinder Singh into action. Amrinder first denied Gomez with a diving save and later stopped Sahal Abdul Samad’s effort. Sahal should have passed the ball to Facundo Pereyra, who was in a better position to score.
Kerala put up an improved performance in the second half. They created chances early and nearly pulled a goal back in the 55th minute but Murray’s effort was ruled offside.
With less than 20 minutes on the clock, Mumbai had the chance to seal the three points when they were awarded yet another penalty when Boumous was fouled in the box. But this time, Albino Gomes, read it right and his strong right arm denied Boumous for his second of the evening.
At the other end, Amrinder came with a brilliant save when he parried Vicente long range shot which brushed off the crossbar. The keeper did exceptionally well to help his side maintain their fifth clean sheet of the season.
