Mumbai City gets the better of Odisha

MUMBAI: Mumbai City FC notched up a 2-0 win over Odisha FC in a closely contested match in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Saturday.

A Shubham Sarangi own goal in the 50th minute and a second half stoppage time strike from Bipin Singh were enough to secure all three points. In a lacklustre first half, neither side posed a threat in the opposition’s penalty area. Both defences were alert to mop up the loose balls but it was the inability to find the decisive passes as well as the failure to apply the final touch that kept the match goalless at the midway point.

Five minutes into the second half, the deadlock was broken as MCFC took the lead courtesy of an own goal. Lallianzuala Chhangte was found on the right flank by Ahmed Jahouh and the winger unleashed a shot on target after a quick exchange with Greg Stewart. Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder Singh saved the effort with his foot, but the ball hit defender Sarangi and rolled into the goal.

Nearing the hour-mark, Diego Mauricio found space in the Mumbai City box to get a shot away, but the fierce strike was saved by Phurba Lachenpa. In the 72nd minute, Mauricio went down in the box, under pressure from Stewart, with appeals for a penalty going in vain.

In the 82nd minute, Amrinder denied Stewart with an outstanding save. But, he could not prevent MCFC from scoring in the fourth minute of injury time. Stewart unselfishly passed the ball to Bipin, who smashed it past Amrinder to net his 15th league goal for the club.

RESULT: Mumbai City FC 2 (S Sarangi 50(OG), Bipin 90) bt Odisha FC 0