On Monday, Mumbai City FC defeated FC Goa easily by 2-0(5-2 in agg) in the 2nd leg of the second semi-final of the Indian Super League(ISL) 2024 to move into the finals to face the current dominant ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
The Petr Kratky led-Mumbai City FC are thus going to get a rematch with the Mariners after losing their league shield against them by 2-1 on 15th April in Mohunbagan’s home ground Salt Lake Stadium.
Mumbai City FC Totally Outplayed The Gaurs
After coming back to their home stadium Mumbai Football Arena from the first leg by leading 3-2, the Islanders started well at the beginning of the match by being aggressive and often getting the chance for a sudden counterattack.
Despite the Gaurs keeping most of the ball into their possession in the first half, Mumbai City FC came very close to increasing their lead with their Spanish and Former Mohun Bagan Super Giant defender Tiri in the 22nd minute and Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 34th minute.
On the other hand, FC Goa also kept the pressure on the Islanders by pushing through the wings with the Moroccan player Noah Sadaoui and Indian player Udanta Singh but they failed to break the defense and make decent chances in the hosts’ goal.
In the second half, FC Goa came very close to leveling the score but the ball went over the host’s goal by Noah Sadaoui after getting a brilliant cross from Indian youngster Brandon Fernandes in the 54th minute.
However, the Islanders finally opened the deadlock in the 69th minute after the Dutch footballer Yoell Van Nieff’s corner kick was met by a header from Rahul Bheke but was stopped by the Gaurs keeper Dheeraj Singh but he didn’t keep the ball out as the Argentinian Jorge Pereyra Diaz simply tapped the ball into the visitor’s goal making it 1-0.
Fourteen minutes later, FC Goa lost possession in the middle as Mumbai City FC launched a sudden counter-attack with Vikram Partap Singh in the left wing who passed the ball to the Lallianzuala Chhangte who magically dribbled past the Goa keeper and struck the ball into the net making it 2-0(5-2 in aggregate) and the match ended.
Both the Managers on the Game
With this win Mumbai City FC will travel to Kolkata to face and avenge their Shield defeat against Antonio Habas-led Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the final of the Indian Super League(ISL) 2024 on 4th May in Salt Lake Stadium.
However, both the managers of the Gaurs and Islander shared some thoughts after the game. FC Goa Head Coach Manola Marquez stated that ‘Once Mumbai scored the first goal we were completely down. We tried till the end but nothing happened.’
Petr Kratky, the Mumbai City FC manager stated that ‘It feels good. I am happy for the team and the club that we got so far and it is all positive thoughts and positive spirits.’
Player of the Match
The player of the match was no other than the 26th year-old Mizoram player Lallianzuala Chhangte who created the most chances in the match along with the second goal which he beautifully dribbled around the FC Goa keeper Dheeraj Singh and slotted the ball into the net.
The young winger previously scored 10 goals in the 2022-23 ISL where he scored 10 goals in the whole league and was awarded the Golden Ball award at the end of the season. However, he was unable to keep up his sam consistent form from that season and struggled.
But his form returned in a few months under the guidance of his manager Petr Kratky and began to score for the Islanders in their most crucial times.
The First leg Between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa
Mumbai City FC sealed past the Gaurs in the first leg of the 2nd semi-final between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday.
The match was started brilliantly by the Gaurs who scored two goals in the first half and second half by Boris Singh Thangjam in the 16th minute and Brandon Fernandes in the 56th minute but the Islanders edged past the Gaurs in the final six added minutes at the end of the match with two goals from Lallianzuala Chhangte and one goal from Vikram Partap Singh to make it 3-2 at the end of the match.
