Plaza’s brace helps East bengal rout Mumbai FC

by FC Admin April 30, 2017

Mumbai: East Bengal, they looked in contention for the title for the majority of the season, and they had their rivals Mohun Bagan and Aizawl FC competing to make this season a three horse race. Come the last tie of the season, and East Bengal now only have the Federation Cup to look forward to in May. On the other hand, Mumbai FC, the only I-League club from the financial capital of India looked shell-shocked to find themselves rooted to the bottom, relegation mathematically confirmed.

Though both the teams had nothing to play for, they certainly didn’t show it on the pitch, the game looked as competitive as ever like it would have been. Mumbai FC started the game in total control for the first five minutes, only to let East Bengal open the scoring in the 10th minute. Bikash Jairu, playing midfield timed his run to perfection and slotted the ball past keeper Laxmikant Kattimani after a small feint.

That early goal highlighted the story of Mumbai FC?s season, workhorses, but nothing to show for it. After a barren spell in the game, in which neither team looked likely to provide some inspiration, Mumbai FC fashioned the chance of the game. Munmun Lugun?s inch perfect cross fell to Victorino Fernandes who really should have equalized for Mumbai, but he could not keep his header on target.

Looking at this Mumbai team, one would surely wonder how they could manage to put themselves in the position they?re in. They had some very good players in their squad, including some proven professionals. Right on the stroke of half-time,

Later East Bengal scored another one, Willis Plaza adding his name to the scoresheet. It looked as though Mumbai FC were doing all the hard work up front, only to leave things loose in their own backyard.

10 minutes into the second half, Bikash Jairu who had scored East Bengal?s first laid up Wedson Anselme with a superb backheel. Wedson made no mistake, making it three nothing to East Bengal. It got worse for Mumbai FC after 10 minutes, when Willis Plaza made it 4-0 to East Bengal from 25 yards.

If Mumbai?s morale was down before the game, now it looked battered. The Yellow Brigade, cheering Mumbai FC on through times thick and thin lost their voices for the remainder of the game. The players from both sides looked to
run the clock down and seize whatever chances their plays generated. Perhaps it was a mentality that was the key difference in the today?s match, East Bengal simply looked the hungrier side.