Mumbai City suffered a narrow defeat in their final home fixture of the season, going down 2-1 to East Bengal FC at the Mumbai Football Arena.
The Islanders applied early pressure in a high-octane start to the match. Their positive intent in the opening minutes paid off as they won their second corner in just 6 minutes, keeping the visitors pinned back. The opener came from a long throw from Aakash Mishra after the corner, which the visitors failed to clear, allowing Brandon Fernandes to react quickly with his weaker foot and give Mumbai City the lead. Mumbai City continued to threaten in transition and created another promising opportunity in the 12th minute as Noufal P.N. played a well-timed through ball to Lallianzuala Chhangte. However, the skipper was unable to bring it under control, allowing the defence to clear the danger.
East Bengal gradually began to work their way into the contest and won a couple of corners in quick succession around the 19th minute. From one such situation, Edmund Lalrindika managed to get a shot away from a tight angle, but his effort found the side netting.
Mumbai City’s pace in attack continued to trouble the opposition back three, and they created an opening in the 41st minute. Chhangte made a run down the right wing and found Vikram inside the box, who did well to set up Brandon. However, his shot was directed straight at the goalkeeper. With four minutes of added time played, Mumbai City went into the break with the lead after controlled first-half performance.
East Bengal FC made three changes before play restarted and the substitutions had a crucial impact. The visitors found the equaliser in the 56th minute after midfielder Miguel was fouled by Joni Kauko inside the box after winning the ball from him. Spaniard Youssef Ezzejari stepped up and converted from the spot to bring the visitor’s level. Nandha Kumar, who came on in the 56th minute, then gave them the lead in the 70th minute following a counterattack. His strike from long range took a deflection, looping the ball over a helpless Phurba Lachenpa.
Mumbai City thought they had found an immediate response five minutes later after a well-worked counter of their own. Noufal played a perfectly timed pass through to Chhangte, who finished from close range, but the move was ruled out for offside, denying the Islanders an equaliser. With 9 minutes added on, the Islanders pushed hard for a second goal, even striking the post through substitute Gyamar Nikum’s header. However, East Bengal FC managed the pressure and picked up three points at full-time.
Mumbai City will look to regroup and return to winning ways in their next fixture against Mohammedan SC on 15th May away from home.
