Mumbai City FC reclaim No. 1 spot after a dominant win over East Bengal FC
A rejuvenated Mumbai City FC didn’t miss a beat from where they had left off, as they eased past East Bengal FC to reclaim top spot in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table.
Lalengmawia Ralte bagged a brace and Greg Stewart got on the scoresheet for the third time this season as the Torch Bearers failed to secure points in their 50th Hero ISL game.
Midfielder Charis Kyriakou returned to the starting XI for the hosts as Jordan O’Doherty missed the match due to an injury. For the visitors, there were two changes in the back-four. Mourtada Fall made his second start of the season to replace the injured Rostyn Griffiths, and Mandar Dessai replaced Vignesh Dakshinamurthy at left-back.
Mumbai City FC almost snatched the lead inside five minutes when Lallianzuala Chhangte beat Ivan Gonzalez on the right side before playing it into the path of Stewart. The Scotsman took a touch before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle that was partially blocked by Kamaljit Singh. As the ball rolled towards the goal, Ankit Mukherjee cleared it off the line.
East Bengal FC were resilient, but their resistance was broken in the 26th minute when Ralte skipped the offside trap and pounced on a clever through ball from Stewart before calmly slotting it past Kamaljit. A little over five minutes later, Ahmed Jahouh’s corner was volleyed onto the bar from close range by Fall.
Five minutes into the second half, Stewart established a two-goal cushion. The East Bengal FC defenders failed to close the midfielder down, as he fired the ball in from the edge of the box. The Islanders made easy work of the third goal in the 59th minute. Chhangte, Bipin Singh, and Jorge Diaz played a series of quick passes in front of East Bengal’s defence before Ralte bagged his second of the night.
East Bengal had few moments of spark in the game. One of them came from substitute Eliandro dos Santos, whose goal-bound shot from inside the box was put out for a corner courtesy of a brilliant last-ditch block from Fall. In the 84th minute, substitute Tuhin Das let one fly from range as it went past Phurba Lachenpa and came off the upright.
In the dying minutes of the game, Vikram Singh went down in the box after a challenge from Jerry Lalrinzuala and the Islanders were awarded a penalty. Substitute Gurkirat Singh stepped up to take it but couldn’t make it 4-0 for Mumbai City FC.
The win takes Mumbai City FC to the top of the table, two points clear of Hyderabad FC. The Islanders will be in action on Christmas Eve at home against Chennaiyin FC. Meanwhile, East Bengal FC remain eighth on the table with nine points. The Torch Bearers will get an extended break before hosting Bengaluru FC on December 30, Friday.
Key Stats:
– Mehtab Singh had 103 touches of the ball and finished with a passing accuracy of 99%
– Kamaljit Singh faced 16 shots on the night and made 6 saves
– Mourtada Fall finished the game with 2 blocks and 2 clearances
Also Read: Azza, Kiran on mark as Mumbai Kenkre hold Mohammedan Sporting to a 2-2 draw
Also Read: 49 teams to participate in AIFF Elite Youth League 2022-23
“This team has worked for 1 year 10 months together to mark their statement” Head Coach Of Mumbai City FC U19 – Mohan Dass
In an Exclusive Interview with Mumbai City FC Coach Mohan Suresh Dass, we take a look into the Mumbai City FC U19’s triumphant journey in the MFA Super League The…
Undefeated MYJ GMSC lead the Reliance Foundation Development League – Mumbai Region
The Mumbai Leg of Reliance developmental league regional round kicked off last week, and its MYJ GMSC who have race to the top of the table. MYJGMSC are currently the…
Blue Tigers miss chances to settle for a draw against Afghanistan
Afghanistan 0drew withIndia 0 ABHA, SAUDI ARABIA: India played out a goalless draw against hosts Afghanistan at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia, in their third FIFA World Cup 2026…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Chennaiyin FC defender Bijay Chhetri signs for Uruguayan club
Bijay Chhetri becomes the first Indian player to sign with Latin American club after he joins Uruguayan club Colon Futbol Club on loan. The 22-year-old rising Indian footballer Bijay Chhetri…
India suffer shock defeat against Afghanistan
GUWAHATI: India’s quest for a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers suffered a serious jolt when they went…
Blue Tigers ready to pounce on Afghanistan in chock-a-block Guwahati Stadium
GUWAHATI: The Indian senior men’s team will look to pocket full points as they take on Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification…
Odisha FC: The newly-crowned queens of Indian women’s football
NEW DELHI: Odisha FC Women had a dream to chase when the club was formed 20 months ago. And for dreamers, they knew, hard facts are never an obstacle. So, they…
India U23 draw with Malaysia in second friendly tie
NEW DELHI: The India Under-23 Men’s National Team drew 1-1 with the hosts Malaysia Under-23 team in their second friendly match at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on…
AIFF to felicitate Sunil Chhetri on his 150th International for the Blue Tigers
NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation will felicitate Indian Senior Men’s Team captain Sunil Chhetri, who is expected to play his 150th Senior International match in the FIFA World Cup…
Lallianzuala Chhangte: I wouldn’t be here today if not for the chances given to me by the ISL
Mumbai, March 26: Nineteen games into the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, Mumbai City FC finds itself placed comfortably at the top of the table with 41 points. They are well…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…