Mumbai FC’s second half rally sinks Leaders Royal Wahingdoh

by Kaushal Shukla February 21, 2015

Mumbai FC won their second game on the spin as they came from behind to defeat League Leaders Royal Wahingdoh 2-1 at Cooperage in the Hero I-League on 20th February 2015.

Mumbai FC came into the game sitting 8th in the table and on the back of a win in their last game. The visitors Royal Wahingdoh were top of the I-League after a comfortable win over Sporting Goa in their last game.

Mumbai FC started brightly threatening to score early on like they did against Salgaocar a week ago. Mumbai created their first opening from a long throw as Vashum’s header from close range went straight to Prem Kumar Singh. It was a good chance for the home side.

Four minutes later, Mumbai FC very nearly scored when Jayesh Rane’s cross was deflected on to the crossbar by a Royal Wahingdoh defender. It was a good move from the hosts after a good interplay between Mohammed Rafi and Jayesh Rane led to the opening.

The visitors were seeing plenty of the ball in the opening minutes and had their first real effort in the 13th minute when a slip from Allan Dias allowed Seityasen to run into the space and shoot. Fortunately for the hosts the ball sailed over the crossbar.

But Royal Wahingdoh weren’t to be denied a minute later when Bekay Bawar’s shot after a well constructed move, was deflected into the bottom corner.

The goal helped the visitors settle in and they started taking control of the game which forced errors from the Mumbai FC midfield who failed to get hold off the ball

Mumbai FC were looking dangerous in attack and they were inches away from the equalizing goal when Mohammad Rafi’s shot in the 21st minute went just wide of the post.

Royal Wahingdoh were calling the shots as the game got past the half hour mark. Seityasen Singh threatened to double the lead with a drilled effort in the 34th minute which went straight in the hands of Nidhin Lal.

Josimar Da Silva was giving the Royal Wahingdoh back line some problems and he very nearly set up Reisngmi Vashum in the 40th minute.

Royal Wahingdoh were forced into a change in the 42nd minute, when Naoba Singh had to be replaced by Lalmangaihsanga.

The referee brought an eventful half to a close which was edged by the away side which reflected in the scoreline.

But it was the hosts who made a better start to the second half and were instantly rewarded just five minutes into the restart as Royal Wahingdoh failed to deal with a long ball allowing Justine Stephen to fire his shot in the bottom corner after latching on to a loose clearance.

The goal lifted the Cooperage crowd who endured a quiet first forty five. Mumbai FC seemed of have regained lost ground in midfield in the second half and were able to hold possession of the ball in a much better manner.

After a tight fifteen minutes post the Mumbai FC equaliser, both teams made changes to their sides hoping to convert the point into three as Paresh Shivalkar made his comeback from injury replacing Reisangmi Vashum for the hosts while Godwin Franco made way for Jackychand Singh in the 65th minute

Mumbai FC started playing a lot more directly, trying to expose Royal Wahingdoh’s weakness in dealing with aerial deliveries.

The hosts tasted success on that route as Mumbai FC turned the score around in the 73rd minute, when another long ball led to Royal Wahingdoh’s undoing as they failed to deal with it allowing Mohammed Rafi to fire home from close range after the ball fell in his path less than six yards out.

Royal Wahingdoh never really recovered from going behind as they failed to make inroads in the Mumbai rearguard.

Mumbai FC brought on Abhishek Yadav late on after Mumbai FC nearly made it 3-1 as Justin Stephen’s header went just wide from a Paresh Shivalkar free kick in the 84th minute

Mumbai FC did well to defend a devilish cross from a free kick deep into three stoppage time minutes.

The full time whistle sparked celebrations as Mumbai FC overcame the League Leaders to register back to back wins.

The win meant nothing in terms of table position as both teams remained where they started the day but Mumbai FC closed the gap on the teams above them.
With seven points from three home games, Cooperageis proving to be a fortress for the city’s solitary side in the I-League.