A winner in stoppage time by youngster Bidyananda Singh helped Mumbai City clinch all three points in a tense against Jamshedpur FC at a packed Mumbai Sports Arena. In a game in which both teams had many chances, it was the hosts’ resolve and commitment that helped them stage a heroic second half comeback to strengthen their grip on fourth place.
Here are the main talking points from this thrilling Indian Super League game.
Controversy galore
The referees were at the thick of things in the first quarter of the game, with Mumbai City being docked a goal for offside and Jamshedpur given a slightly contentious penalty. With the first corner of the goal, Mumbai mounted a strong case for themselves, as the ball found its way to forward Amine Chermiti who slotted home from close range, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Minutes later, Jamshedpur broke quickly on the counter and their forward hit the ground on feeling the slightest of contacts, and the referee had no hesitation to point to the spot. Noe Acosta duly obliged from the spot to give Jamshedpur the lead, leaving many in the Mumbai camp frustrated at the award of the penalty in the first place.
Resolute fightback
Despite being a goal down, the Islanders never lost belief as they had the bulk of the possession in the game and created the best chances. Their tenacity was finally rewarded in the 60th minute, when a corner from the right was struck perfectly by Chermiti, and found the back of the net off the crossbar.
Mumbai City’s wingers Raynier Fernandes and Diego Carlos were a constant thorn for the opposition, dribbling past players with their quick feet and firing in crosses at will. The Islanders were wasteful of a lot of their chances, but fortunately that didn’t end up hurting them as youngster Bidyananda Singh neatly struck a looping ball to find the corner of the net in stoppage time and give his side a well deserved win.
Captain Amrinder to the rescue
Pritam Chaudhari and Mato Grgic were a formidable unit in defence for the Islanders, forcing Jamshedpur players to try their luck from distance. However, as the game remained deadlocked, Mumbai committed more players forward, leaving them exposed on the counter. One such counter could proved decisive, as a cross from the left was headed in goalwards from point blank range, but Amrinder Singh made a brilliant diving save to ensure the game remained at one apiece.
His save reinstated that winning belief amongst the Islanders, and they finally managed to nick one on the counter to get a deserved 2-1 victory. Mumbai City are now five points ahead of Chennaiyin FC, looking favourites to make it to the semifinals with only two group games left now.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ IndSuperLeague
