ISL 3: Forlan takes Mumbai City FC on top of the Table

by Chittu Shetty October 25, 2016

Diego Forlan second half goal ensured Mumbai came out of their winless run in four games as they beat Atletico de Kolkata 1-0 to move to the top of table.

France World Cup winner and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry graced the occasion

Atletico de Kolkata slipped to their first defeat of ISL season 3 as Mumbai riding on their marquee player Diego Forlan’s 79^th minute strike went to the top of the table. The game was witnessed by former France world Cup winner and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as Guest of Honour.

With Defedrico, Leo Costa and Pronay halder sitting out due to injuries, Mumbai fielded a adjusted side bringing in Cafu, Gerson, Sehnaj Singh while Albino Gomes replaced Volpato between the sticks. On the ATK side, Stephen Pearson, Abinash Ruidas, Arnab Mondal, Javi Lara and Robert Lalthlamuana were back in to the squad.

The game began with Mumbai starting slightly better than the home side in terms of attacking moves. In the eight minute of the game, Diego Forlan and Cafu combined well to break open ATK defence with the latter providing Norde with a lofted ball forward. The Haitian striker did well to control the ball with his chest but his final shot was inches away from the post. Few minutes later Forlan and Cafu combined yet again for another good move but the Uruguayan shot went wide.

In the 23^rd minute, through a counter attacking move Hume played on Doutie on the left, who slipped while taking the shot, with the open chance gone as Mumbai defence were back in line, Doutie got control of ball back and earned a free kick from the edge of box. The resulting free kick from Javi lara was initially blocked but on rebound was hit inches above the cross bar.

In the 33^rd minute, Debjit came up with a brilliant save for ATK when Sena Ralte’s cross is poorly cleared out by the ATK defence; the ball fell to Sony Norde in the box, who hammers a shot aimed at the top corner, only for Debjit’s to parry it away for corner. Three minutes later, debjit was once again in business when Forlan’s delightful looping ball was cleared away by the ATK keeper before colliding into Norde’s outstretched legs.

First half ended with either teams scoring any goals although Mumbai came close on few occasions.

Diego Forlan second goal for Mumbai City was enough to ensure all three points for visitors

Also Read:ISL 3: Kerala come from behind to register a 2-1 victory over FC Goa away from home

Second half began with Atletico coming out with an attacking intent, newly substituted youngster Bidyananda Singh almost made an immediate impact when his searching cross was inches away from Hume before going out of play. Soon ATK missed a golden chance, Hume crossed deep in to the box which was very well controlled by Doutie but Goian’s sliding tackle denied Doutie’s shot.

At just past an hour mark, a Javi Lara corner was headed towards goal by Doutie but sehnaj blocked it brilliantly with his chest amidst calls of hand ball before clearing it away with a diving shot.

In the 79^th minute against the run of play, Sonny Norde dribbled his way in to the ATK box down the left before unleashing his shot, the ball deflected from the defender and turned in to a cross for Forlan at far corner who made no mistake in dispatching the ball past Debjit to silence the home crowd.

ATK soon had a chance to equalise, Iain Hume nearly scored from a Javi lara’s inch perfect cross into the far post, but Mumbai Custodian Gomes blocked his effort with a great save denying the Canadian.

In the injury time ATK had another big Opportunity when Hume was brought just outside the box much to the delight of home crowd. But Javi Lara’s goal bound free kick was once again fisted away by Albino Gomes has Mumbai took all three points to go to the top of the table.

Atletico de Kolkata 0 – 1 Mumbai City FC (Forlan 79’)