PANJIM: Mumbai City FC continued their unbeaten run to four matches following their come-from-behind win against Chennaiyin FC at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Wednesday.
Adam le Fondre stepped up to the occasion to net the match-winner in the 75th minute after Hernan Santana nullified Jakub Sylvestr’s 40th minute strike.
Sergio Lobera’s side is in fine form at the moment, and are at the top of the league standings with 12 points from five games.
The game saw many nervous moments with Chennaiyin FC coach Csaba Laszlo surely being unhappy for not getting the desired decisions in his favour. There were two penalty claims which were turned down by the referee which out wise looked to be clear fouls in the box.
Whilst his time at FC Goa, Lobera was known to play a similar XI throughout his campaign, but on Wednesday, the Spaniard made four changes to his playing eleven which saw them have a slow start to the game.
Chennaiyin, meanwhile, had a bright start to the game which saw them attack in numbers from the word go and nearly took the lead in the second minute but much to the dismay of the team, Sylvestr wasted a glorious chance by sending the ball wide with no keeper in the frame.
While the Chennaiyin FC dominated, Mumbai had a rare chance in the second quarter but Chennaiyin custodian Vishal Kaith came with a fine save to deny Adam Le Fondre. Bipin Singh too had a chance from the rebound, but the lad shot missed the bottom corner.
Having dictated terms, Chennaiyin deservingly took the lead in the 40th minute and this time Sylvestr kept his composure in guiding Lallianzuala Chhangte’s low cross into the empty nets. Though there were claims Sylvestr to be offside, the goal stood.
Chennaiyin FC suffered a blow when they conceded a soft goal when Kaith’s poor decision while dealing with a corner-kick allowed Santana to score with a fine header. Hugo assisted the goal.
There was not much to offer in the second half. Chennaiyin tried creating chances throughout but were denied by strong Mourtada Fall and Amrinder Singh.
At the other end, Chennaiyin defence failed to deal with yet another set-piece as they conceded the second goal. Ahmed played a long ball in the box from a free-kick which was headed in the goal area by Rowllin Borges. Boumous, flicked the ball to Le Fondre, who scored past the helpless keeper.
Chennaiyin nearly scored an equaliser in stoppage time, but Sylvestr’s header narrowly went wide.
