PANJIM: It’s been frustrating for FC Goa this season who have been dominating the games but have failed to convert them into wins. It was a similar story yet again on Saturday night at Bambolim where they were beaten by a not so great performance put up by Mumbai City FC.
The Islanders had hardly the sniff of the ball in the second session yet walked away with three points which moved them back into the top four with a 2-0 win.
Goals from Mehtab and Diego Mauricio were enough for the Islanders to register full points.
FC Goa had their key players missing out but that didn’t stop them from playing their usual fearless attacking football.
Like any other day, the Gaurs created ample of chances and had themselves to be blamed for not finding the back of the net in the first session.
It was in the 17th minute when Mumbai keeper Mohamad Nawaz failed to clear a back-pass and in return tripped Airam Cabrera in the box resulting in a penalty. However, the former FC Goa custodian made amends for his mess by brilliantly stopping Cabrera’s spot kick.
FC Goa had couple of more chances but Devendra Murgaonkar and Jesuraj saw their efforts narrowly miss the mark while Nawaz made another crucial save to dent Cabrera.
With FC Goa failing to take their chances, Mumbai grew in confidence and finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute from a set piece.
Mehtab Singh scored a lovely header off a Cassio Gabriel freekick to find the back of the net.
Goa were lucky not go two down. MCFC got another free-kick outside the box. This time it was Lallianzuala Chhangte who curled the ball in and Igor Angulo headed it to put the ball past Naveen Kumar but the referee ruled out the goal spotting Angulo pushing a FCG player while heading the ball in.
Though down by a goal, FCG played good football in the first session which they continued in the second half pressing in search of the equaliser. The closest they came was with Alberto Noguera’s strike which hit the side netting. However they failed to make threatening moves for the reminder of the play.
FC Goa’s poor defensive errors cost them the second goal.
In the 85th minute Mumbai City scored their second after Aiban and Seriton failed to deal with a Mumbai city cross where Diego Mauricio won the ball in the danger zone and fired home a low shot to make it 2-0.
