Mumbai score a hard fought victory against Indian Navy

The first few minutes saw most of the game being played in midfield as both teams fought hard for the ball. Mumbai kept up the pressure over the Indian Navy as they slowly started taking charge of the game.

Paresh Shivalkar took a corner and found Kali Alaudeen but the header was easily dealt with by Navy defence. In the 21st minute, Manuel D’Souza went down as he is caught on his knee by a Navy defender.

Indian Navy got a free kick which was easily cleared by the omnipresent Kali Alaudeen.

In the next minute, Josimar exhibited some great skills, true to his Brazilian roots, and went through on goal but his shot went wide.

The long awaited goal came in the 34th minute as a long throw from Rahul Bheke found Allan who flicked it to Josimar and he headed it back to an incoming Kali who leapt high to score.

The chances kept coming as Paresh’s cross found Allan in the clear but he volleyed the shot wide. The first half ended 1-0.
Mumbai started the second half and didn’t waste any time as they won a corner within a minute.

The next few minuted saw great exchanges from Mumbai on both flanks. Kutty eventually crossed the ball from the left but it just missed Paresh.

Taisuke was looking stronger and he ran from the midfield to the right flank. He successfully put a dangerous cross in to Pradeep who was fouled by a Navy defender.

Mumbai was testing the Indian Navy resilience with continued possession and slick passing. A second goal beckoned.

On a sudden counter attack in the 60th minute and against the run of play, Indian Navy got a free kick in the Mumbai half but couldn’t convert. Navy slowly started getting back into the game. They were hardly giving the ball away and dominating possession.

Allan Dias received a yellow card in the 70th minute for a rash studs up challenge on the opponents. The resultant free kick was well taken by Navy and the Mumbai goalkeeper barely managed to parry it away.

The best chance for Navy came in the 75th minute. The midfield combined with slick passing as play started from the left flank. The resultant shot on goal was cleared off the lone by Taisuke  on the touchline.

The second goal came in the 85th minute as a sweet lob from left of midfield by John found Josimar in the clear who danced around the keeper and slot it into an empty net to make it two nil. Navy scored a late consolation goal as a shot from Raman Rai found the back of the net. Rahul Bheke saw yellow as he was booked for time wasting towards the end.

Mumbai FC continue their time at the top of the table with 12 points from 4 games.

Team Line ups

Mumbai FC: Kunal Sawant, Kamaljeet, Justin, Kali, Rahul, Paresh, Taisuke, Manuel, Pradeep, Allan, Josimar

Indian Navy: Sumesh, Sunil, Akash, Sahir, Raman Rai, Anup, Lalchhunmawia, Kumar, Britto, Pawandeep, Bhaskar