Mumbai City FC continued their unbeaten record away from home this Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 season with an outstanding 3-2 win over Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. The Islanders took the lead twice in the match, but the defending champions came back on each occasion and looked to have earned a point from it two minutes from the 90. Mumbai, however, had other ideas as they scored the winner in the last minute of added time, thereby subjecting the hosts to their first defeat of the season.

  • Subhasish Bose’s header gave the visitors the lead on the 12th minute.
  • Mohamed Larbi missed a penalty four minutes into added time at the end of the first half.
  • Bengaluru equalised via an own goal from Mato Grgic in the 58th minute.
  • Diego Carlos headed the Islanders back in the lead in the 77th minute.
  • Sunil Chhetri converted a penalty for Bengaluru two minutes from the 90th minute.
  • Subhasish’s header deflected off Rowllin Borges and gave Mumbai the win four minutes into added time.

The home side began the match on the front foot, dominating possession and enjoying a territorial advantage. Mumbai, however, didn’t look troubled and in fact, had the better chances in the early exchanges. Bipin Singh proved a constant menace to Bengaluru and had the game’s first real attempt on the eighth minute, as his cross was on target and troubled Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Four minutes later, the Islanders took a well-deserved lead when Larbi’s pin-point cross was powered in by Subhasish who, in doing so, scored his maiden Hero ISL goal. The Blues seemed rattled by the goal and were much more aggressive in the next 10 minutes.

Udanta Singh was presented with a decent opportunity on the 24th minute, as Erik Paartalu found him with a delightful pass over the Islanders defence. The winger, however, wasn’t that clinical with his finish, blazing it well over Amrinder Singh in the Mumbai goal.

Three minutes later, Modou Sougou could have punished the home side by doubling Mumbai’s advantage. His shot, though, was straight at Gurpreet much to the disappointment of the Islanders faithful. Bengaluru, meanwhile, failed to get a foothold in the game as the game headed towards half-time.

The lack of attacking edge almost cost them in the stoppage at the end of the first half. Amine Chermiti was adjudged to have been brought down by Blues defender, Juanan inside the Bengaluru box, which presented Mumbai with a glorious opportunity to double their lead from the spot. Larbi’s penalty, though, was beautifully saved by Gurpreet which ensured the holders went into the break only one goal down.

Rahul Bheke replaced Nishu Kumar at the start of the second half for the Blues, who took the initiative and attacked Mumbai right after the restart. Dimas Delgado tested Amrinder with a fine attempt on the 55th minute – just three minutes before they equalised. Delgado’s corner had Mumbai in all sorts of trouble, with the ball bouncing off the shoulder of Grgic and going into the net.

Both sides matched each other in the next 15 minutes, and had a few half chances but failed to find the right finish. However, that wasn’t the case on the 77th minute when Diego ghosted behind Ashique Kuruniyan and headed Raynier Fernandes’ scrumptious cross past Gurpreet.

Unaccustomed to being in such a position, the Blues continued to pour men forward. Their reward arrived just two minutes from the 90th-minute mark as the referee pointed for a penalty after the ball hit Sarthak Golui’s hand inside the box. Chhetri stepped forward to take the spot-kick and converted emphatically to restore parity between the two.

However, the Islanders once again took the lead four minutes into added time. Subhasish leapt highest from a corner and headed the ball towards goal. His effort, however, deflected off Borges and beat Gurpreet, thereby handing Mumbai a valuable last-minute win.

Hero of the Match – Rowllin Borges

The India international was a tireless engine in the middle of the park for Mumbai, accounting for six tackles, three clearances and three blocks. The midfielder even scored the late winner that handed Mumbai an all-important three points.

AWARDS

Club Award – Mumbai City FC

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Subhasish Bose

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Raynier Fernandes

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Bipin Singh

Hero of the Match – Rowllin Borges

Watch the match highlights here:

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Bengaluru FCMumbai City FC 2019-2020Match Report