Mumbai FC thrash Central Railways to record seventh straight win

by Kaushal Shukla December 1, 2014

Mumbai FC routed Central Railways 5-0 in a MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) Elite Division clash, held at Cooperage, as they maintained their 100 percent start to the season, recording their seventh straight win. Mumbai FC dominated proceedings from start to end despite resting a number of key figures like striker Josimar Da Silva, Cletus Paul, John Coutinho and Justin Stephen.

Mumbai FC dominated the ball from the outset pushing Central Railways back in their half. Despite the lack of the ball, Central Railways had some efforts of note around the 10^th minute mark, initially a long range effort from Shafique P. and then after a good bit of play between Karim Shaikh and Shafique P. Both the times, the latter shooting straight at the keeper.

Mumbai FC were easily picking up the runners in behind the Central Railways defence who were holding a slightly high line to press the Mumbai FC players, but the pressing was a bit loose at times and it was easy pickings for Mumbai FC to attack the space behind the Central Railway defence.

Central Railway’s keeper Harshad Meher made a series of outstanding blocks to deny the Mumbai FC forwards. He was almost playing as a sweeper back at times. Central Railways were playing a dangerous game trying to catch the Mumbai FC front men offside, as the ease with which Mumbai FC were stroking the ball around, it was just the matter of time before the strung together a lethal attack.

Eventually Mumbai FC found a way past Harshad Meher, when S. Kutty Mani was sent through on goal who went past the helpless Central Railways’ goalkeeper to finish in the empty net in the 24^th minute.

Mumbai FC almost struck again three minutes later, when a loose back pass by the Central Railways defender put Harshad Meher under pressure, who still managed to clear, leaving him, a long way off his goal. The ball fell to scorer S. Kutty Mani whose long range effort went just wide.

The Central Railways goalkeeper was kept busy thanks to some inept defending by the Central Railways as he produced fine saves, keeping them in the hunt. Central Railways suffered a blow when attacker Karim Shaikh had to be replaced by Gagan Singh Chouhan after he suffered a knock on his calf. He was a bright spot in an otherwise listless display by the Central Railways.

As the game approached the interval Mumbai FC racked up the opportunities as winger Paresh Shivalkar and Pradeep Mohanras both shooting wide after getting a good sight of the goal. S. Kutty Mani was involved again in the 43^rd minute when his brilliant cross was almost turned in Allan Dias.

Central Railways came extremely close to equalizing after defender Krishna Naidu drove ahead and unleashed a powerful shot at Sanjiran Ghosh’s goal, but he brilliantly tipped it over. That ball was destined for the top corner but for Sanjiran Ghosh’s heroics.

Mumbai FC went in to half time a goal to the good, but could have had a lot more had it not been for goalkeeper Harshad Meher who was the man of the match so far.

Second half resumed as Mumbai FC wasted no time in getting into the act, as they won a corner within 30 seconds of the start of the play. Seven minutes later Mumbai FC finally doubled their lead as Central Railways failed to deal a corner and allowed it to bounce, creating confusion in the box, from which Allan Dias profited to scramble the ball into the net.

The second goal eased the pressure on Mumbai FC and their football was flowing as they forced yet another brilliant save from the Central Railways goalkeeper, who denied Pradeep Mohanras after Allan Dias cuts it back for him four minutes later.

To make matters worse for Central Railways, Mumbai FC brought on their star Brazilian forward Josimar Da Silva for Meldon and John Coutinho for Manuel D’souza around the hour mark. Central Railways respond with a substitution of their own sending Chetan Waghela for Shafique P.

Mumbai FC seal the three points with a third goal in the 78^th minute socred by substitute Josimar Da Silva who heads home a low Paresh Shivalkar cross from the right flank. They add another a minute later, when Josimar turned provider for Pradeep Mohanras who finished emphatically, to add gloss to an absolute commanding display.

But they were not finished yet as Josimar got his second of the afternoon in the 85^th minute as he was squared off by S. Kutty Mani as the rout was completed.

The referee blew for full time after two minutes of stoppage time, releasing Central Railways from their agony. Mumbai FC are looking unstoppable in this season’s Elite division having won all seven of their matches. Central Railways on the other hand need to lick their wounds and pick themselves up after this demoralizing defeat before the next game is around the corner.