ISL: Goa moves to top with mumbai demolition

GOA: Rowllin Borges (18’) gave Mumbai City the lead before Ferran Corominas (20’), Hugo Boumous (38’) and Jackichand Singh (39’) handed the initiative to Goa. Though Bipin Singh (57’) pulled a goal back for MCFC, Corominas (80’) struck again to seal the result while Mohammed Rafique ended up scoring an own goal in the 87th minute.

With the victory, Goa (36 points) remains on course to clinch the top spot in the league while Mumbai City (26 points) is four points ahead of fifth-placed Chennaiyin FC, which have played two games less. Goa made a sloppy start to the game, giving the ball away cheaply in its defensive half far too many times.

MCFC duly took advantage and had the lead in the 18th minute. A long ball into the box was not cleared by the Goan defenders. Subhasish Bose got to the ball and set up Borges inside the box, whose drive took a deflection before settling in the back of the net. Goa’s response was swift and lethal. In the 20th minute, Jackichand stood the ball up from the right-wing.

Boumous managed to nod the ball forward, which Corominas lashed home on the volley from close range. Mumbai City tried to mount a response but was unable to force a proper opening. Goa grew in confidence and punished Mumbai with two quick goals before half-time.

In the 38th minute, a corner from Brandon Fernandes was nodded towards Boumous by Carlos Pena. The Moroccan reacted quickly to direct it into the far corner to hand the Gaurs the lead. In the very next minute, Corominas drove forward and slipped Jackichand in on the right, who chipped a brilliant finish.

Jorge Costa’s charges started the second half with renewed vigour and got a goal back in the 57th minute. Borges kept a clearance alive on the right-wing before cutting it back for Bipin, whose first-time shot rippled the net.

But, Goa hit Mumbai City on the counter yet again to put the game to bed. A rapid move saw Boumous slip Corominas through on goal and the latter expertly finished past Amrinder Singh to make it 4-2. Mumbai City was dealt the killer blow in the 87th minute when Corominas’s attempted shot was blocked away.

It fell for Lenny Rodrigues who slammed a cross straight into Rafique and the ball deflected into the goal.