Hero I-League: DSK Shivajians defeat Mumbai 5-0 in Maharashtra Derby

by Avinash Palai March 11, 2017

Balewadi Stadium, 11 March 2017: DSK Shivajians Football Club scored five goals, in a historic win against inter-city rivals Mumbai Football Club during their Hero I-League match. Holicharan Narzary’s two first-half strikes put the hosts in the driving seat, and an improved second-half display saw Sanju Pradhan, Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Lallianzuala Chhangte register their names on the scoresheet.

Mumbai coach, Santosh Kashyap made one change to his starting lineup from the side’s previous outing against Mohun Bagan. An injured Thoi Singh was replaced by Brazilian Anderson Raimundo da Silva. While DSK Shivajians made three changes, as three attack-minded players were introduced by manager David Rogers; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Sanju Pradhan and Sumeet Passi started for the hosts.

The Maharashtra derby started off in a pretty unusual manner; with both sets of players displaying little control and precision when circulating the ball. Due to which gaps began to appear, all over the park. The hosts, in particular, seemed to make most of the opportunities presented, testing Kattimani time-and-again in the Mumbai goal. On a similar occasion, Holicharan Narzary found himself with space and time to measure a volley past the Mumbai goalkeeper to give the hosts an early lead on 15 minutes.

In the aftermath of the opener, Santosh Kashyap reacted quickly and made a substitution, replacing Clyde Fernandes for the experienced Steven Dias; in an attempt to get themselves back into the match.

Much to the anguish of Mumbai, DSK Shivajians grew into the match, dominating possession and created chances at will. While Mumbai couldn’t string together any passes to cause real damage to their opposition, failing to penetrate through or create positive moments in the match. As the game approached the half hour mark, Sanju Pradhan and Juan Quero combined well down the right, to set up Narzary for his second goal of the match in 27 minutes.

As the first-half of the match came to a closure, DSK Shivajians seemed to have had a firm grip on the game with a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, the away side, Mumbai had a half to forget and start afresh, if there was to be a fightback or any effort, in their bid for survival.

Matters went from bad to worse for Santosh Kashyap’s side, when the home team scored their third goal just three minutes into the second-45. Sanju Pradhan found his name on the scoresheet, after some neat combination play with Quero; in a move which was constructed by the Shivajians’ no.12 and finished off with fine accuracy.

Lallianzuala Chhangte, DSK Shivajians’ second-half substitute, scored in 67th minute, collecting the ball from the halfway line – scoring against the run of play with a delicate finish past Kattimani’s right to make it 4-0 for the hosts. Jerry Mawihmingthanga made good use of his pace to take full advantage of the space behind Mumbai’s defence and score DSK Shivajians’ fifth goal of the match in 83 minutes.

With the game approached the final moments, Mumbai trailed to their rivals 5-0, in a match they were expected to turn their fortunes around. But Santosh Kashyap’s side faced trouble in every department, lacking the resources to answer positively under pressure yet again.

Mumbai had little or no positives to take back to Mumbai after their 5-0 defeat at the hands of DSK Shivajians. As they prepare themselves for two must-win matches at home. Meanwhile, DSK Shivajians can take a breather, but just so – after an all-round performance against Mumbai lifted them four points clear of rock-bottom Mumbai.