Mumbai City FC secured their first win of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 after beating FC Goa 1-0 at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday. Goa began well but found themselves on the back foot after Redeem Tlang was sent off for a dangerous tackle towards the end of the first half. Mumbai pushed for a winner throughout the second period and had to wait till injury time for Adam le Fondre to score the winner from the penalty spot.
After an even opening 15 minutes which saw neither side manage to create any clear-cut opportunities, Goa started seeing more of the ball. The Gaurs’ first shot on target came in the 25th minute when a direct freekick from a dangerous area by Edu Bedia went straight into Mumbai custodian Amrinder Singh’s hands.
Goa continued to dominate possession as the half progressed but couldn’t create any openings and came closest to breaking the deadlock from set-pieces. Another Bedia freekick from the left in the 35th minute caused distress among Mumbai’s defenders after the ball was put into a threatening area only to evade everyone.
The entire dynamics of the game, though, changed in the 40th minute after Tlang received his marching orders on the back of a high and lunging tackle. The Islanders looked to seize the initiative and make their man advantage count. However, Mumbai’s passing was erratic and prevented them from making the most of the red card as the teams went into the break with the game goalless.
Igor Angulo had the first shot of the second period two minutes into the half. The Spaniard received the ball near the halfway line and carried it with him at pace to Mumbai’s penalty area before dragging his shot wide.
Bedia then struck a venomous shot on goal that was destined for the back of the net had it not been for Amrinder, who made a stunning save. The resulting corner led to a shot on goal from inside the box by Ivan Gonzalez. Once again, Amrinder was positioned perfectly to make the save and ensure that his side didn’t fall behind.
Mumbai registered their first shot of the season on target just before the hour mark when Hugo Boumous worked a bit of space and fired from range to test Goa’s goalkeeper. Another Boumous shot soon after was then blocked by a swarm of Goa defenders.
The Islanders came agonizingly close to taking the lead in the 75th minute when le Fondre’s cross found Mandar Rao Dessai inside the six-yard box. Fortunately for Goa, Dessai somehow failed to keep his effort on target against his former side.
Mumbai enjoyed more possession in the final 10 minutes of normal time, but chances were still proving difficult to come by. Le Fondre fired a strong effort on target a minute before fulltime, however, Goa’s goalkeeper was equal to the task.
The Islanders continued to attack relentlessly in search of a winner and were eventually rewarded in injury time with a penalty after a hand ball by Lenny Rodrigues in the penalty box. Le Fondre stepped up to the spot and made no mistake under pressure as he rifled the penalty into the bottom corner to help Mumbai win their first match of the season.
ISL Media Release