Mumbai City FC sealed their spot in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 semi-finals with a clinical 3-1 victory over ATK at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday. The disappointing loss also knocked ATK out of the running for a play-off spot.

Mumbai join the likes of Bengaluru FC and FC Goa in the list of teams to have made it through. The final play-off spot will be decided between NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC depending on the result of the remaining matches.

  • Modou Sougou scored on the 26th and 39th minute to hand Mumbai a two-goal lead heading into half-time.
  • Sougou completed his hat-trick on the 60th minute to extend Mumbai’s advantage even further.
  • Andre Bikey pulled a goal back for ATK on the 67th minute.

With a host of injuries and the suspension to John Johnson to contend with, Steve Coppell put out a very new-look starting XI with Eugeneson Lyngdoh making his first start of the season.

Edu Garcia took over the mantle of the creator-in-chief for ATK in the absence of the injured Manuel Lanzarote and the Spaniard took an early crack at goal. His shot was on target but lacked the power to worry Amrinder Singh in the Mumbai goal.

As the match went on, the visitors looked the more dangerous side going forward and made their domination count on the 26th minute. Pranjal Bhumij played in Modou Sougou with a cheeky pass over the ATK defence. The striker raced onto the ball and slid it past a diving Arindam Bhattacharja to score the opening goal of the match.

Going a goal behind acted as a wake-up call for the ATK players as they showed a lot more urgency going forward. Jayesh Rane forced Amrinder into a save but the Mumbai custodian held on despite a brief fumble.

However, it was Mumbai who would find the all-important second goal of the match. A quick counter attack saw Arnold Issoko steam down the right flank and feed Sougou for a tap in to score his second of the night.

ATK could have pulled a goal back just before half-time, but Kalu Uche's quick shot from inside the box was well saved by Amrinder.

The first 45 minutes ended with the away team two goals to the good.

The second-half began with Mumbai opting to sit deep and defend their lead. ATK, however, offered very little going forward and whenever they did manage to create something, the lack of an in-form goal scorer held them back.

Uche's lack of confidence in front of the goal was evident and the forward failed to make any positive impact on the match.

On the hour-mark, Mumbai raced even further ahead and it was Sougou again dealing the damage. Paulo Machado’s defence-splitting through ball sent the striker through and he made sure he completed his hat-trick.

Seven minutes later, Andre Bikey headed in Pritam Kotal’s cross to pull a goal back for ATK. It was a majestic header but not a goal which would inspire a miraculous comeback for the two-time Hero ISL champions. Mumbai held on for the remainder of the match to secure three points and their passage to the semi-finals.

HERO OF THE MATCH – Modou Sougou

Modou Sougou ended his brief goal drought in style and grabbed a hat-trick when it counted the most for his team. His impressive performance in the crucial tie earned him the Hero of the Match award.

CLUB AWARDS

Club Award – Mumbai City FC

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Arnold Issoko

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Paulo Machado

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Pranjal Bhumij

Hero of the Match – Modou Sougou

WHAT’S NEXT?

ATK’s final match of the campaign will be against Delhi Dynamos FC on March 3, while Mumbai will square off against FC Pune City on March 2.

Watch the match highlights here:

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Mumbai City FC Match Report