ISL 3: Mumbai ends Highlanders winning run

by Chittu Shetty October 7, 2016

Diego Forlan’s penalty early in the second half was the difference between the two teams as Mumbai move to second spot on 6 points with a win over table topper NEUFC in their new home at Mumbai Football Arena.

Diego Forlan’s 55th minute penalty gets Mumbai their first home win of ISL 3

Mumbai named an unchanged squad that got them their first victory at Pune, with Forlan, defedrico and Leo costa manning the attack while Jackichand Singh once again left out at bench. On the other hand, NEUFC made three changes with Nicolaz velez, seityasen and Zokora starting the game.

Both sides started the game with caution with the first attempt on goal coming to the away side in the 11th minute through a Romaric free-kick that went wide. On the other hand, Matias Defederico saw his effort from distance failing to test Subrata Paul at the Highlanders goal.

Few minutes later, Romaric tried a volley from outside the box that saved by the Mumbai custodian, while at the other end Aiborlong Khonjee tested Paul through stinging shot from around 40 yards. In the 21 minute, Romaric took another shot on goal through a volley once again from out of the box that volpato saved comfortably.

At half hour mark, sehnaj denied Alfaro a shot on goal with a timely tackle. The best move of the first half came for the visitors at around the 40^th minute, when Velez crossed a shot for onrushing Yusa, who despite just keeper to beat and under pressure from defender shot the ball over. Minutes before half time, Velez once again beat his marker and crossed the ball for Alfaro whose shot was deflected for corner.

First half ended at the score 0-0 with the visitors looking threatening towards the end. Second half started at the similar fashion with defedrico lofting a ball for Forlan only for Zokora to head it wide. Zokora had his task cut out in the game, as the defender made sure Forlan didn’t end up with the ball at the attacking end.

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However in the 54^th minute, Under pressure from Forlan saw Zokora pass the ball for Gustavo who passed it to Reagan singh, who while trying to shield the ball from Pronay lost his balance along with the control over ball and in the attempt to get it back tripped Pronay inside the box. The referee whistled penalty much to delight of the home fans. Forlan stepped up to take the spot kick and although Paul judge the direction couldn’t stop the ball from getting into the net.

The final part of the game saw Mumbai sitting back comfortably on their lead as the highlanders tried to look for the equalizer. Alfaro provided at good opportunity for unmarked Yusa inside the box only for the Mohan bagan striker to shoot at the keeper.

Despite numerous free kicks and set pieces at the end, Northeast failed to find the equalizer as Mumbai held on to their one goal lead and in the process win the second game on the row.

Mumbai City FC 1 (Forlan 55’) – 0 Northeast United FC