MUMBAI CITY FC go down 1-5 to Chennaiyin FC

Mumbai, 28 October 2014: Mumbai City FC had to endure a heavy 1-5 loss against the hosts Chennaiyin FC at the Nehru stadium in Chennai on Tuesday evening.
Elano Blumer (9 and 69 min), Jeje Lalpekhlua (26) and John Stiven Mendoza Valencia (41 and 44) scored for Chennaiyin FC while Syed Rahim Nabi scored the consolation goal for Mumbai City FC three minutes from time in the 5-1 loss for the visitors.
Mumbai City FC had once more more of the possession but could not find the goals to show for their effort as Chennaiyin’s FC cleverly used their chances to score.
The visitors were a bit unlucky at the start of the match and the combination of errors and bad luck meant that they were constantly trying to catch up with their opponents.
“I don’t want to take anything away from our opponents. They played superb football, and it was a tough game for us,” Mumbai City FC coach Peter Reid said after the match.
The first bit of bad luck struck in the sixth minute when an outstretched leg of Manuel Friedrich hit Columbian Mendoza while trying to clear the ball and Elano Blumer scored from the ensuing penalty despite custodian Subrata Pal diving in the correct direction.
The early goal meant that Mumbai City FC was forced to press higher to seek an equaliser and that left more space for the hosts to exploit on the counter. Though Subrata came up with a couple of great saves to keep the Chennaiyin strikers at bay, Jeje Lalpekhula managed to sneak one past the custodian in the 26th minute and then Mendoza Valencia added a brace to make the task all the more difficult for the visitors. Chennaiyin FC were leading 4-0 at the break.
On the other side, Mumbai City FC were making some promising moves with Frenchman Nicolas Anelka, who was making his Indian Super League debut, showed some of his magic as he came up with a couple of defence splitting passes for Subhash Singh but his attempts were blocked by Chennaiyin FC custodian Shilton Paul. Mumbai City FC came back stronger in the second half and put pressure on the home team and were duly rewarded when skipper Nabi nodded home from a corner. But that was too little too late.
“We definitely need to work on our defence. We need to be a lot tighter at the back, and we need to work on our passing at the back as well,” Reid admitted.
The coach, however, said that criticizing individuals is not right. “It’s a team game, you can not point fingers at individuals (for the loss). We are going to train harder, we are going to work harder, and we would fight back,” the coach said.
Reid was also satisfied with Nabi’s show and said the man has shown some consistency. “Nabi and Anelka are important, and I am expecting a lot from them in the future games. Nabi has been consistent, and that is an important thing for us,” he added.
Result: Chennaiyin FC 5 (Elano Blumer 9, 69; Jeje 26; John Stiven Mendoza Valencia 41, 44) bt Mumbai City FC 1 (Syed Rahim Nabi 87);
Hero Man of the Match: Elano Blumer; Swift moment of the Match: John Stiven Mendoza Valencia; Fittest player of the Match: Subhash Singh; Emerging player of the Match: Jeje
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Transfer round-up: Naorem to ATK Mohun Bagan, Givson Singh to Chennaiyin FC
The January transfer window of the Indian football season is nearing its end. The winter transfer window is always an exciting time period in the Indian football season, with this…
10 men Kenkre hold table toppers RoundGlass Punjab in a 6-goal thriller
RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) were held by ten men Kenkre FC in a six-goal thriller in a Round 15 fixture of the Hero I – League 2022-23 season played here…
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
FC Goa complete signing of defender Nikhil Prabhu
FC Goa have completed the signing of Nikhil Prabhu, the defender has put pen-to-paper on a one-a-half-year contract with the Gaurs, which will see him wear the Club’s iconic orange…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Kerala Blasters signs Bengaluru FC midfielder Danish Farooq
Kerala Blasters FC have completed the signing of midfielder Danish Farooq Bhat from Bengaluru FC, as per reports. The tuskers have reportedly paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Bengaluru FC…
Number 16 for Mumbai City FC as they beat Jamshedpur FC with a thrilling come back
Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten streak in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) to a record-breaking 16 games after an extraordinary comeback victory over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
Playoffs snakes and ladders continues as Odisha FC drop out after losing to ATKMB
ATK Mohun Bagan moved back up into third place with a 2-0 victory over Odisha FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Didn’t know what a passport was till my first India call-up: Sunita Munda
Hardly anyone was surprised when Sunita Munda was called for the National camp for the AFC U-14 regional championship in 2016. Even before turning 14, Munda had proved to be…
Clock ticking for Chennaiyin FC as they host Odisha FC in all-or-nothing encounter between playoff hopefuls
Odisha FC will be looking to propel themselves back into the playoff spots as they visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai to face Chennaiyin FC, who are also looking…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…