Mumbai FC march on as they cruise past high flying Mumbai Customs

by Kaushal Shukla December 16, 2014

Mumbai FC recorded their eighth straight victory as they brushed aside an in form Mumbai Customs 3-0 in an MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) Elite Division game held at Cooperage on 14th December 2014. Mumbai Customs couldn’t live with Mumbai FC’s forward play as they eventually succumbed after failing to bring to play their form so far this season.

Mumbai FC started brightly as they almost took the lead in the 6th minute when forward Josimar Da Silva’s close range effort was nicely saved by the Mumbai Customs’ goalkeeper. Keeping in mind, the Brazilian’s quality, it was a poor miss.

Eight minutes later, Mumbai FC won a corner which was taken short by winger Paresh Shivalkar but Collin Abranches’ cross cleared everyone. Mumbai FC were inches away, from going a goal up in the 17th minute, when Josimar Da Silva’s header from a Paresh Shivalkar corner was kept out on the goal line by the Mumbai Customs’ defender.

Nine minutes later, Josimar Da Silva was denied by the crossbar after he brilliantly controlled a long throw and unleashed an overhead kick. It was an outrageous attempt and Mumbai FC’s No.10 was extremely unlucky not to score the goal which would hace been one of the best of the season so far.

Mumbai Customs had their first opportunity of note when a short corner was well worked only for the final shot to go wide. It was a good chance wasted and there weren’t going to be many in a game where Mumbai FC were clearly in the ascendency.

Mumbai FC were finally rewarded in the 42nd minute when Josimar Da Silva bundled in from close range after Mumbai Customs made hash of a long throw from Rahul Bheke. It was the very least Mumbai FC deserved. Two minutes later they threatened again, with Josimar Da Silva involved yet again as he his header was collected by the Customs’ goalkeeper.

The referee signaled for two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half. In the dying seconds of the these stoppage time minutes Mumbai FC doubled their lead, as S. Kutti Mani picked out Cletus Paul’s run who coolly controlled the ball, cut the goalkeeper and slotted home.

Mumbai FC went into the interval with a two goal cushion and were looking unstoppable. Mumbai Customs were barely able to get a foothold in the game and their lack of threat on the afternoon, meant they had a mountain to climb in the second half.

The second half started with Mumbai FC dominating yet again. Customs’ were showing a bit more fight in the second half and they nearly pulled one back when Francisco Salin shot over in the 53rd minute. Customs’ slight revival in the second half wasn’t enough to get them back in the game as Mumbai FC ensured that their opponents get no encouragement.

Mumbai FC killed Mumbai Customs off in the 67th minute when S. Kutti Mani tapped in a cut back from Collin Abranches. The third goal knocked the stuffing out of Mumbai Customs as they showed no signs of recovery as Mumbai FC brought on winger Rohit Mirza who had just returned from his loan spell at Mumbai City FC in the ISL.

Mumbai Customs nearly grabbed a consolation as Francisco Salin was through on goal after a neat one-two with the Mumbai Customs’ No.7 but the Mumbai FC keeper did well to charge ahead and collect in time
The referee blew for full time after three stoppage time minutes as Mumbai FC marched with their eighth win in as many games. Mumbai Customs suffered their first defeat of the campaign as they failed to reach the heights which they managed to scale in the season so far.

This win leaves Mumbai FC in a very strong position, meaning their chasers have it all to do if they are to stop this Mumbai FC juggernaut.