Mumbai City FC head coach Alexandre Guimaraes' joy knew no bounds following his team's second successive win in the 2016 Hero Indian Super League, at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday.

Mumbai, who finished sixth last season, began their Hero ISL 2016 campaign with a 1-0 win against FC Pune City on Monday and followed it up with another 1-0 win against NorthEast United FC on Friday, thanks to marquee player Diego Forlan's penalty early in the second half.

When asked if he thought they were a bit lucky on the night, a pleased Guimaraes said: “I think that speaks really well of our performance because as you play more matches you get more wins. For them, it was the third game while it was the second for us. It was the first time here that we practised in our home. We had to be patient, it was that kind of game. We took our chance and then we defended like lions.

“Two games, two victories, it is like a very good start…We believe in the work we did in the pre- season and are doing currently, so these results are just a reflection on our hard work. But if the players do not believe in themselves, then you cannot achieve. My players are showing good character and determination to win. Sometimes we play good, sometimes we play bad but this fighting spirit always makes you achieve something.”

The Mumbaikars were awarded the penalty in the 55th minute when Reagan Singh fouled Pronay Halder in the box, after which Forlan did the rest. The former Costa Rica manager expressed his satisfaction at his marquee player's performance. “Again I think he played a very good game, other players also tried to find him much more and that is normal as he plays more, everybody will know his movements better and he has played two games and has an assist and a goal,” Guimaraes said.

This was Mumbai's first home game of the season at a new venue as over 6,000 people thronged the Mumbai Football Arena. Commenting on the crowd support for his team, Guimaraes said: “The support was okay and I think also because of the holidays you have here [they were fewer fans]. I understand the situation but I hope in the next game we will have more fans coming in to support the players and have a fully packed stadium.”