ISL: Odisha fell before Mumbai in a lacklustre match
text_fields
Mumbai: Mumbai City FC made a 2-0 victory against Odisha FC in a tight contest in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 at Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday, IANS reports.
Mumbai was backed by a self-goal by Odisha's Shubham Sarangi as well as Bipin Singh's goal at 94 minutes.
The match was lukewarm in the first half, with no front could enter the opponent's penalty box. The players seemed inefficient in executing an attack till halftime.
Bipin Singh had created an opportunity in the sixth minute, but forwards could cash it.
The first shot on target came seven minutes from halftime when Nandhakumar Sekar cut in from the left flank and fired a tame effort toward the goal. It was comfortably collected by the keeper. In the 44th minute, Diego Mauricio burst into life as he sprinted past two Mumbai City players before getting a shot away. The Brazilian's effort was off target.
Five minutes into the second half, the deadlock was broken as the Islanders took the lead courtesy of an own goal. Lallianzuala Chhangte was found on the right flank by Ahmed Jahouh. Chhangte unleashed a shot on target after a quick exchange with Greg Stewart. Amrinder Singh saved the effort with his foot, but the ball hit defender Shubham Sarangi and rolled into the goal.
Nearing the hour mark, Mauricio found space in the Islander's box to get a shot away. The fierce strike was saved by Lachenpa. In the 72nd minute, Mauricio went down in the box under pressure from Stewart. Appeals for a penalty were in vain, as the referee only awarded a goal kick.
In the 82nd minute, Amrinder denied Stewart with an outstanding save. The Scottish striker received the ball from the left flank and struck a low shot at goal. Amrinder's quick reflexes were enough to keep the ball out.
In the last action of the game, Mumbai City FC probed forward toward a scattered Odisha defence. Stewart unselfishly passed the ball to Bipin, who smashed the ball past Amrinder to score his 15th league goal for the club with the last kick of the game.
Mumbai FC will play Jamshedpur FC on October 22, while Odisha will host Kerala Blasters on October 23.