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Mumbai City extend unbeaten streak against FC Goa to 13 games with 2-1 win
Mumbai City FC grabbed their maiden victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a closely-fought 2-1 win against FC Goa in Margao on Saturday.
Mumbai City extended their unbeaten streak to 13 games against the Gaurs to reaffirm their upper hand in the recent history of the fixture.
Two strikes in the first half from Nikalos Karelis (21st) and Yoell van Niff (40th) were sufficient for the Islanders as the spot-kick that Armando Sadiku (55th) converted for the home side in the second half of the game came as consolation.
The win for the Petr Kratky-coached unit was spearheaded by their Dutch midfielder Yoell van Nieff, whose sublime skill sets in the offensive half of the field helped the visitors pierce through a well-organised FC Goa backline repeatedly.
Hmingthanmawia Ralte, also known as Valpuia, was an energetic presence for Mumbai City and it was he who earned a free-kick for them from the right flank in the 21st minute that led to the Karelis' opener.
Van Nieff stepped up on the set-piece and delivered a perfectly dipping curled ball inside the box that met an onrushing Karelis at the centre of the 18-yard area. Karelis thundered the ball into the back of the net through his head, getting the Islanders an important lead in the contest.
Seven minutes later, former Mumbai City midfielder Rowllin Borges came close to helping Sadiku secure the equaliser for FC Goa. Now with the Gaurs, Borges squared up a pass to Sadiku from the right flank, and the striker twice attempted to score but to no avail.
Van Nieff ensured to capitalise on a moment in the 40th minute, driving an attack forward with his sheer pace and trickery on the ball.
He dazzled ahead from the middle, but instead of taking the passing route, the 31-year-old opted to test his fortunes from distance. The ball landed into the bottom left corner and helped Mumbai City head into the half-time break with a comfortable two-goal lead.
In the second half, Valpuia committed a foul on Sadiku inside the 18-yard box in the 54th minute. He was shown a yellow card for the same and Sadiku made sure that he didn't fluff this time, hammering the ball into the top right corner a minute later to give FC Goa a sneak back into the proceedings.
Mumbai City held their nerves impressively thereafter though, as FC Goa could not turn the tides despite coach Manolo Marquez making some inspired substitutions with Dejan Drazic and Nim Dorjee coming on late into the game.
FC Goa will play their next match against Chennaiyin FC on October 24, whereas Mumbai City return to action against Odisha FC on October 27.
Maclaren, Petratos power Mohun Bagan to derby glory with 2-0 win over East Bengal
Mohun Bagan asserted their dominance in the season's first derby, securing a comprehensive 2-0 victory over East Bengal, propelling them to second place in the Indian Super League standings.
In front of a packed 59,872 attendance at the Salt Lake Stadium, Jamie Maclaren broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, finishing calmly at the near post after exploiting a poor defensive positioning by Anwar Ali and a mistimed slide from Hector Yuste.
Substitute Dimitri Petratos sealed the win in the 89th minute, converting a powerful penalty after East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill brought down Greg Stewart inside the box.
With their third win in five matches, Mohun Bagan moved to second, just three points behind leaders Bengaluru FC.
In contrast, East Bengal, under the new guidance of Oscar Bruzon, were unable to spark a revival and extended their losing streak in ISL to four matches, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table without a point.
East Bengal also extended their winless run to nine matches in ISL derbies, suffering eight defeats and one draw.
Early in the third minute, Manvir Singh's cross was cleared by Yuste, averting an early danger for East Bengal.
Around the 13th minute, EB had their first real chance when Yuste lofted a ball over the top to David Hmar, who laid it off for Nandha Kumar and his cross found Cleiton Silva. But the resulting header was easily saved by Vishal Kaith.
Subhasish Bose's follow-up effort was blocked by the MB defense, as East Bengal struggled to capitalise on their chances.
Mohun Bagan appeared to have taken the lead in the 19th minute when Manvir headed in from a short corner, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
EB responded in the 26th minute with a close chance as Nandha played Saul Crespo through on the right.
Crespo's cutback found Madih Talal inside the box, but his first-time shot drifted narrowly wide of the post.
Gill, the East Bengal goalkeeper, was called into action multiple times, making crucial saves, including a superb one in the 25th minute when he tipped away a header from Manvir at the near post.
Just before half-time, Maclaren's clinical finish finally put MB ahead, capitalising on poor defending from East Bengal to give his team a deserved 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The Australian forward was brilliantly set up from the right by Manvir Singh, who latched onto a Stewart pass from the midfield to deliver a low cross for Maclaren to tap home.
Maclaren's goal came as no surprise as he continued his fine form after scoring in the previous 3-0 win over Mohammedan Sporting.
Despite East Bengal's flashes of attacking play, Mohun Bagan remained dominant with 47 per cent first-half possession.
EB had their chances, with captain Cleiton's header but Vishal Kaith stood tall in goal for Mohun Bagan.
In the second-half, Mohun Bagan maintained control, adding a second goal late in the game.
Though East Bengal pushed hard for an equaliser, MB's defence held firm.
In the 84th minute, controversy arose when Stewart was brought down in the box by Ali, but the referee waved play on, deeming it a fair challenge, frustrating the MB camp.
The match's decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Stewart played a beautiful ball to Petratos, who was tripped by East Bengal goalkeeper Gill, resulting in a penalty.
Petratos delivered a thunderous strike, firing the ball with pinpoint power to his left.
Gill, fully stretched and diving in the same direction, was left helpless as the bullet-like power of the strike ensured that the ball reached the back of the net, sealing a dominant win.