Football

Durand Cup 2022: Mumbai City 5-1 Rajasthan United

Greg Stewart, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mehtab Singh, Ahmed Jahouh, and Vikram Partap Singh all scored once as the Islanders advanced to the Durand Cup 2022 knockout stage.

On Monday, Mumbai City FC defeated Rajasthan United FC 5-1 in their third Group B match in the 131st Durand Cup. With one game remaining in the group stages, the Islanders are at the top of their group and have clinched qualification to the next round of the tournament.

Mumbai City FC came out energetically, looking to push Rajasthan United high up the field. The Islanders applied constant pressure on Rajasthan United’s defence, and their efforts paid off immediately, as Greg Stewart scored in the 10th minute. The Scotsman completed a fantastic team move initiated by Ahmed Jahou, who was having too much success controlling the game from midfield. The Islanders lead the game 1-0 at this moment, with Rajasthan United FC behind.

As Des Buckingham’s tactics were proving to be highly effective, Jorge Pereyra Diaz was a continuous threat to the Rajasthan United FC defence, dropping into midfield to allow the likes of Bipin, Stewart, and Chhangte to roam free and exploit space behind him.

Chhangte extended Mumbai City FC’s lead in the 18th minute after his powerful left-footed drive from the right side was deflected into the goal by a Rajasthan United defender, leaving the goalie caught off guard.

Despite relentless pressure from Mumbai City FC, Rajasthan United FC shown steely desire to make their presence felt in the game, but were unable.

The Islanders’ dominance resulted to their third goal in the 36th minute of the game, when Greg Stewart’s beautiful corner was smashed into the Rajasthan United FC goal by an unmarked Mehtab Singh, making it 3-0 to the Islanders.

The Islanders headed into the second half with a 3-0 advantage, while Rajasthan United FC sought to regroup before the second half began to limit the prolific Mumbai City FC assault.

Mumbai City continued to push in the second half, earning a penalty after substitute Vikram Partap Singh was hauled down in the area by a Rajasthan United FC defender. In the 63rd minute, midfield maestro Ahmed Jahouh converted a penalty with ease to increase the Islanders’ lead to 4-0.

Finally, in the 67th minute of the game, Rajasthan United FC’s steely persistence paid off as Nikum Gyamar cut in from the right flank to beat Phurba Lachenpa with a powerful left-footed strike. Mohamad Nawaz replaced Lachenpa in the 76th minute when the Islanders’ number one suffered a head injury and had to be hauled off.

However, Mumbai City FC appeared set to score another goal in the remaining time and did so in the 95th minute of the game via Vikram Partap Singh. The weary Rajasthan United FC defence couldn’t stop his run and composed finish, which put the Islanders up 5-1.

Mumbai City FC is the first side from Group B of the 2022 Durand Cup to advance to the next round. On Saturday, September 3, they will face East Bengal in their last group game at the Kishore Bharati Stadium.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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