THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Mumbai hits a six with complete dominance over Union Bank

Josimar celebrates his goal for Mumbai FC

Josimar celebrates his goal for Mumbai FC

Mumbai FC came into the game with a confident win against Kenkre FC. The first ten minutes saw a series of fouls as both sets of players were vying for the ball. Regardless of that, Mumbai tried hard to control possession but were not able to put their stamp on the game.

The match broke into life as Union Bank of India (UBI) got a free kick in the Mumbai FC half. The free kick was cleared with ease by Kali which led to a Mumbai FC counter-attack but was dealt with as the UBI defenders kept their stance. Midway through the first half, Mumbai got a series of opportunities in the form of two free kicks and three corners but failed to capitalise on them as UBI got back into the game steadily and the game finished evenly at half-time with both sides unable to break the dead lock.

Mumbai FC were kept waiting by UBI players at the start of the second half. Mumbai kicked off with a long ball from the centre to Abhishek Ambekar who ran in from the right but failed to connect as the UBI goalie rushed in to collect the ball. Allan Dias received a yellow card for a rash challenge.

Mumbai FC began to show urgency as they stepped up the pressure. Rahul Bheke crossed from the right flank to John Coutinho whose header was parried away by the diving UBI custodian. Taisuke lead another attack from the midfield and quickly the ball to the right to Abhishek Ambekar who with his quick feet, induced a foul from the opponents. John Coutinho took the free kick and the flat cross was mistakenly headed in by UBI player Tejas Raut. Mumbai went one goal up in the 50th minute.

On a sudden counter attack in the 58th minute, UBI player Shannon Pereira headed in the ball as Mumbai goalkeeper Nidhinlal fumbled and the ball rolled in to the  Mumbai goal.

The entire game scenario changed when Josimar came in for Manuel D’Souza in the 68th minute. His presence pumped up the adrenaline in the Mumbai players.

In the 73rd minute, Josimar began the attack by distributing the ball to Abhishek Ambekar on the right who lobbed it in for Taisuke to head the ball back towards Josimar. Josimar made no mistake and showed his class with a cool header to score his first goal for Mumbai FC.

The high tempo game then saw attack after attack from Mumbai. Josimar’s header hit the post and a loitering Cletus made no mistake to thump in Mumbai’s third goal in the 75th minute. The goal fest continued as Taisuke took a corner in the 77’. His looping cross was flicked in by Kali Alaudeen to Josimar who scored his second goal with a sublime finish.

Another great play on the left flank saw Allan Dias go through and cross it in. Abhishek Ambekar was calm to chest the ball down and thumped it in the goal to score his first for Mumbai.

UBI player Aaron D’Costa scored a consolation goal in added time. However, Mumbai had some more fuel left in their tank as Josimar, again the creator; put a through ball to Abhishek Ambekar who scored his second with a clean finish.

Mumbai now has six points from two games in the MDFA Elite Division having scored nine goals and conceded two.