Senegalese Modou Sougou and Brazilian Rafael Bastos scored their first goals and fashioned Mumbai City FC’s first win in the Hero Indian Super League 5 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday.
The home team picked up three big points as a result of all the hard work it demonstrated for better part of the regulation time and nine minutes of injury time against FC Pune City. Both goals were scored in the first half when the two teams competed with purpose.
A little over 4000 spectators were thoroughly satisfied with the home side’s 2-0 win after a dismal start in the league. Had it not been for Vishal Kaith’s splendid block that prevented Lucian Goian from scoring a penalty in the added time of the second half, the Mumbai’s winning score would have been 3-0.
More than a fortnight ago, the home team lost its opening match to Jamshedpur FC 0-2 and shared points with Kierala Blasters in Kochi, but on Friday, Jorge Costa's team, which had its task cut out, showed its mettle with Amrinder Singh emerging with flying colours under the bar.
In what is now popularly known as the Maharashtra Derby, the Pune side enjoyed a superior record winning five of the previous eight encounters.
But after a missed free kick chance in the fifth minute by Paulo Machado, Sougou directed a right footer of a cross which bounced back of the right post. Then as the match neared the half time mark, Bastos shot home the penalty after Lalchhuanmawia Fanai tackled Sougou inside the box.
The visitor had its chances, but time and again Uruguayan Emiliano Alfaro failed to convert.