AGENCIES, MUMBAI: Two first half goals by Arata Izumi (5’) and Minchol Son (11’) helped Mumbai FC down Bengaluru FC 2-0 at the Cooperage Stadium, here, on Monday.
The Mumbai FC outfit are unbeaten after four rounds of matches alongside Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
Khalid Jamil named an unchanged line up from the one that beat Salgaocar FC 2-1 on Sunday. The away side made just one change to their team as Malsawmzuala made way for Shankar Sampingiraj.
The game began fairly evenly with both sides battling for possession. However, it was the home team that made an early breakthrough.
Jayesh Rane did well to intercept a pass, fend off an opponent and release Ashutosh Mehta down the right flank. The right-back’s cross was controlled by Sushil Singh inside the box which led to a goal-mouth melee. Sushil’s shot was blocked by John Johnson as was Eric Brown’s by Keegan Pereira before Arata Izumi’s deflected effort creeped in at the near post in the fifth minute.
Mumbai FC then doubled their lead six minutes later in spectacular fashion. Minchol Son slid in to win a loose ball in midfield and put his foot right through it. The effort immediately had Ralte back tracking and though he got a hand to it, wasn’t able to keep out the shot from all of 40 yards.
Bengaluru FC looked to pull a goal back immediately and Rino Anto’s cross from the right caused the hosts problems. The ball eventually fell to Alwyn George outside the box and his shot was deflected wide.
Curtis Osano then carried the ball out from defence in the 16th minute and showed good strength to fend off a few challenges before pulling the trigger from distance but Pawan Kumar held on to the crisp effort.
The Yellow Brigade could well have gone even further ahead in the 22nd minute. Clyde Fernandes’ cross from the left flank found Ryuki Kozawa inside the box but the Japanese chose to knock it down for his strike partner rather than go for goal and the chance went begging.
The away side won a free-kick on the right flank and the delivery was met by John Johnson in the 28th minute but his header was just wide.
Ashutosh then pulled up with an injury but couldn’t get the attention of the referee to stop play. Incidentally, a pass was played past him for CK Vineeth but Pawan was alert to the danger and was off his line swiftly to make the save in the 33rd minute.
Six minutes later, Sushil and Kozawa combined well upfront with the former running clean through on goal. However, his weak effort was saved by Ralte under pressure from Osano.
In the 43rd minute, Ramu played the ball down the right side for Jayesh who found Arata. The midfielder laid the ball off for Kozawa who’s low drive fizzed just wide.
Mumbai FC maintained the pressure on the visitors and took a 2-0 lead into the break.
The first chance in the second period fell to the away team in the 51st minute when Rino Anto’s cross was met by a Eugeneson Lyngdoh volley inside the box. The midfielder’s effort however was blocked. Substitute Thoi Singh’s effort from range on the half volley in the 59th minute had Pawan concerned but the dipping shot went over the crossbar.
The hosts didn’t create a single clear-cut chance in the second half but remained compact and saw out a 2-0 win over the league leaders. The result saw Bengaluru FC remain at the summit but Mumbai moved into a single point off their opponents at second place.
