Mumbai FC survive late Customs scare to set up Air India final

by Kaushal Shukla November 28, 2015

Mumbai FC were given a huge scare late in the game by Mumbai Customs as they registered a 3-2 win in the second semifinal of the 109th Nadkarni Cup to set up a dream final with Air India.

Mumbai FC named a changed team from their quarter final win over Union Bank of India as Rohit Mirza, Paresh Shiwalkar and John Coutinho all came into the starting eleven. New signing Min Chol Son made his debut for Mumbai FC at the heart of the defence. taisuke, the match winner against Union Bank of India started the game as a substitute.

Mumbai FC got off to a perfect start when it took them just three minutes to open the scoring as N.P. Pradeep helped home a Cletus Paul header from close range.

It was just the start which Mumbai Customs dreaded as they gave the much superior Mumbai FC side a headstart in the game.

Customs did well to ride the next twenty minutes of Mumbai FC storm, but a mistake from goalkeeper Lihaz Koya helped Mumbai FC double their lead as Eric Brown’s fierce left footed strike slipped through the hands of Koya.

It was one-way traffic for most parts of the first half, but Mumbai FC were given a huge scare when John Coutinho had to clear a shot off the line post the half hour mark.

Customs’ goalkeeper Lihaz Koya made for his error which led to Mumbai FC’s second goal when he made a double save from substitute striker Karan Sawhney and Paresh Shivalkar within space of seconds to ensure Mumbai Customs went into the break with only a two goal deficit.

The second half saw a positive reaction from Mumbai Customs who had a good chance to pull a goal back after half time, but their attacker fired the effort wide. Later, Mumbai Customs struck the upright from a Praneel Mendon free kick.

Mumbai FC punished Mumbai Customs for their miss and scored a third goal in the 67th minutes which came from their substitute striker Karan Sawhney who rounded off the goalkeeper to slot home the finish.

However Mumbai Customs still created openings to score and Reinaldo Fernandes missed a glorious one on one chance to reduce the deficit.

At the other end, Karan Sawhney had a great chance to further extend Mumbai FC’s lead but the former Bengaluru FC forward dragged his effort wide.

Mumbai Customs finally made a chance count in the 83rd minute when Deepak Irmali finished past the Mumbai FC goalkeeper.

Customs had a spring in their step after getting on the score sheet and gave Mumbai FC a couple of moments to worry. Despite Mumbai FC slowing the game down a howler from the Mumbai FC goalkeeper Ricardo Cardoza in the 89th minute when he missed his kick allowing Reinaldo Fernandes to roll the ball into the net and set up a grand stand finish.

Mumbai Customs pushed hard for an equalizer against a Mumbai FC side who were looking uncharacteristically nervous in the final few minutes of the game.

Customs’ fightback came too late as Mumbai FC held on to set up a cracking final with Air India.