Mumbai City FC picked up their second victory of the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Delhi Dynamos FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, courtesy a goal each by Modou Sougou and Arnold Issoko. It was a much-needed win for the Islanders after their disappointing loss to FC Goa in their last Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) fixture. The result also means Delhi stay winless this season, with three draws and two defeats to their name.

  • Modou Sougou gave Mumbai the lead against the run of play on the 30th minute.
  • Rafael Bastos missed a penalty on the 50th minute.
  • Arnold Issoko gave Mumbai the much-needed two-goal cushion on the 77th minute.

Delhi attempted to seize the initiative early on, and the first chance of the match fell to the visiting side on the four-minute mark when Lallianzuala Chhangte whipped in a nice cross from the left. Lucian Goian's attempted headed clearance fell to Romeo Fernandes at the far post, but his volleyed effort sailed over the crossbar.

The visitors came close yet again eight minutes later, after Andrija Kaludjerovic collected a Rene Mihelic pass and unleashed a ferocious shot at goal. Mumbai goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, however, was up to the task and made a flying save to keep the score goalless.

The home team started to press high in an attempt to regain control of the match, opening up space for Delhi's wide players. An overlapping Pritam Kotal almost set up Kaludjerovic at the far post, but Ravi Kumar plucked the ball from the striker's head to snuff out the danger.

Mumbai made a few forward forays, but all the attacks fizzled out near the edge of the Delhi box due to some poor passing. Romeo found himself in the thick of things yet again when his shot was blocked by Goian inside the penalty box. His half-hearted claim for a handball was waved off by the referee.

However, it was the home team which drew first blood against the run of play. Mumbai's Arnold Issoko found space down the right and played in a teasing low cross inside the box. Modou Sougou got the run on Marti Crespi and slid in to score past a helpless Francisco Dorronsoro. The goal scorer could have doubled his tally just three minutes later when he found space inside the Delhi box. His shot, however, went straight to Dorronsoro, who managed to punch it out.

The Sougou-Issoko combination almost worked out for the home side again just before the half time whistle. Issoko's outside-of-the-boot cross found the Portuguese attacker, but his rushed shot missed the target. Delhi tried to hit back in the final seconds of stoppage time, but the Mumbai defence stood strong to ensure the Islanders go into the break with a one-goal advantage.

Mumbai started on the front foot in the second half and it soon paid dividends, with Issoko earning a penalty for the Islanders after he was brought down in the box by Rana Gharami. Rafael Bastos stepped up to take the spot kick, but his shot evaded both Dorronsoro and the goal.

Ten minutes into the second half, Delhi almost got their much-sought-after equaliser not once, but twice. Kaludjerovic got on the end of two back-to-back chances but couldn't take advantage of either. Chhangte had his chance too around the 65th minute, but his curling shot was brilliantly kept out by the Mumbai keeper. Kumar was called into action yet again to keep out Romeo's shot.

Issoko, who had been impressive throughout the night, finally managed to give the home team the coveted two-goal cushion on the 77th minute. He chased down a wonderful long ball by Bastos, rounded up an onrushing Dorronsoro, and calmly slotted in. Delhi could have made the match interesting in the dying moments, but Pawan Kumar was at hand to deny Romeo yet again in stoppage time.

HERO OF THE MATCH

Arnold Issoko set up the first goal for Modou Sougou, scored the second himself and was the most impressive player on the pitch throughout the game. He is the Hero of the Match.

CLUB AWARDS

Club Award – Mumbai City FC

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Modou Sougou

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Rafael Bastos

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Ravi Kumar

Hero of the Match - Arnold Issoko

WHAT’S NEXT?

Delhi will still be looking for their first victory of the season when they host NorthEast United FC on October 30, while Mumbai will be on the road to play against defending champions Chennaiyin FC on November 3.

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Related tags:

Match 20, MCFC vs DDFC - 2018Mumbai City FC 2018-2019Match Report