Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches after a 1-0 win against SC East Bengal on Friday evening at Tilak Maidan Stadium.
Mourtada Fall‘s 27th-minute header guided Boumous cross to the back of the nets.
Mumbai City FC have drawn a 5 point margin against the second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan.
However, SC East Bengal finds themselves at the tenth position with 12 points from their 13 matches. Fowler’s team had a 7 match unbeaten streak which came to an end after they lost to the rank leaders.
SC East Bengal 0 – 1 Mumbai City FC: Team News
Robbie Fowler started with two changes in his starting lineups after their goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC.
Matti Steinmann replaced Ajay Chettri who received a red card in the previous fixture while forward Harmanpreet Singh took the place of Enobakhare. The starting formation remained the same as 4-2-3-1.
Whereas the head coach of Mumbai City FC Sergio Lobera came up with three changes with the same 4-2-3-1 formation. Midfielder Hernan Santana and Raynier Fernandes were replaced by Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Hugo Boumous.
SC East Bengal 0-1 Mumbai City FC: Post Match Analysis
The Islanders had a chance to take the lead in the 3rd minute when Adam Le Fondre took an attempt after receiving the ball from Cy Goddard ball went wide of the post.
Hugo Boumous had an opportunity to score in the 14th minute as Cy send a cross from the flank, the Frenchman attempt went over the bar. Mumbai City created many chances but could not add any goal to the board.
Finally, Boumous assisted Mourtada Fall with a cross who was unmarked inside the box. He made no mistake to score the first goal of the match.
Matti Steinmann was substituted by Bright Enobakhare in the 64th minute. Subsequently, the Red and Gold Brigaders’ gameplay changed and they started pushing.
However, Daniel Fox missed scoring the equalizer as he headed the ball which came from a corner. The ball went inches away from the post.
In the last quarter of the game, East Bengal took over possession and started creating chances every minute. Amrinder managed to keep another clean sheet with the assistance of the backline.
East Bengal did not find an equalizer handing Mumbai their 9th win of this season.
Notable Performance:
Mourtada Fall: He scored the only goal of the match in the first half. Hence he was awarded the Hero of the Match Award.
Hugo Boumous: The 25 years attacking midfielder has an indispensable role in the Islanders’ midfield lineups. He has contributed 6 assists in his nine appearances. He bagged the Winning Pass of the Match award.
Post Match Comments:
“It was a performance we can be proud of. We didn’t win the game. But, we showed everyone watching the game around the world the progress that we have made. We look a so much better-rounded team. Individually, we look fitter and stronger. It is a bit of a shame that it took us forty-five minutes to get going. The scoreline didn’t do us justice. But, it’s a defeat nonetheless.”
-Robbie Fowler
SC East Bengal to face third positioned FC Goa on 29 January at Fatorda Stadium. Mumbai City FC will play against NorthEast United FC in their next fixture on 30 January at GMC Stadium Bambolim.
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