ISL 3: Mumbai confirm play-off spot with a win over Chennaiyin

by Chittu Shetty November 23, 2016

Goals from Defederico and Vadocz on either side of break ensured Mumbai become the first team to qualify for ISL 3 play-offs

Mumbai City FC are in the play-offs for the first time in ISL.

Mumbai started off from where they left against Kerala blasters with a series of attacking moves inside the chennaiyin box eventually scoring through Defederico and Vadocz to ensure a five point gap at the top of the table with a game in hand. It was the Mumbai side’s first victory against Chennaiyin having lost almost four times previously while also sealing their first Play-off spot in ISL.

Mumbai started with an unchanged side that demolished Kerala Blasters in their previous game. On the other hand Chennaiyin made three changes with Jayesh Rane, John Riise and Harmonjot Kabraa starting in place of Jerry, Maneule Blasi and an injured Jeje.

The game began with Mumbai pressing from the word go with chennaiyin committing silly mistakes. The first big move of the game came in the 9^th minute when Defederico after a quick exchange with Cafu lofted the ball forward for Chhetri with acre of space, the Indian captain calmly slotted the ball past Karanjit only to be flagged offside.

In the 13^th minute, Chhetri did well to control the ball and set up Forlan for the final shot but the Uruguayan’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection o go off target. The ensuring corner from Defederico found Chhetri at near post whose flick was eventually saved by Karanjit.

Finally minutes after the half hour mark, from the left Vadocz and Chhetri exchange quick passes on the edge of the box as the latter went deep into the box before cutting in a pass. The ball took a slight deflection through the legs of Sabia before falling in front of Defederico, who slotted the ball past Karanjit to take Mumbai 1-0 up.

Conceding the goal seemed to spur the Marco Materazzi side as soon Chennaiyin began to come back in to the game taking over the possession but failed to convert their moves with Succi and Raphael either shooting off target or straight at keeper.

Also Read: ISL 3: Romaric’s strike keeps Highlanders in top 4 race

Vadocz scored his third goal of the season

Minute before break, Forlan almost doubled the lead when his shot from a free kick beat the wall and almost sneaked in as Karanjit came up with a timely dive to deny the Uruguayan.

Chennaiyin started second half strongly with some possession but failed to trouble Amrinder between the sticks. However at the half hour mark, Mumbai doubled the lead thanks to a Vadocz stunner. Forlan’s cross from the right found Vadocz on the edge of the box, the Hungarian chests the ball down before calmly striking the half volley past a diving Karanjit as Mumbai went 2-0 up.

In the 80^th minute, Chhetri missed two close chances to put the game to bed. First Forlan’s cross was completely missed by Mendy as the ball fell to Indian Captain. With only Keeper to beat, Chhetri’s final shot on pressure from Mendy went over the bar. Seconds later Forlan once again setup Chhetri on the left but the Indian forwards final shot once again failed to test the keeper.

On the other end, Succi’s low shot was easily saved by Amrinder as Chennaiyin failed to get back in to the game. Mumbai had another big chance in the 90^th minute when Substitute Thiago Cunha was easily setup by Forlan from the edge of the box but the Brazilian shot straight at Karanjit as the ball deflected off him and trickled out for corner.

Mumbai held on till the final whistle as the Chennaiyin looked completely out of ideas in the entire match. While Mumbai head to their final game with a ten day break, with just 14 points from twelve games, Chennaiyin play-off path looks in serious trouble.

Mumbai city FC 2 (Defederico 32’, Vadocz 60’) – 0 Chennaiyin FC