mum wins
Football

Mumbai FC beat Mohammedan SC 1-0 to qualify for Finals

The Islanders secure a berth in the 2022 Durand Cup Final thanks to Bipin Singh’s late winner.

Mumbai City FC qualified for the 2022 Durand Cup Dinal by defeating Mohammedan SC 1-0 in a thrilling semi-final. Bipin Singh scored the game-winning goal in the final minutes of the game, propelling the Islanders to the 131st Durand Cup Final, where they will meet either Bengaluru FC or Hyderabad FC for the prized trophy.

On his comeback to the starting lineup, Mourtada Fall led the Islanders in the semi-final against Mohammedan SC. Gurkirat Singh made his complete Islanders debut, making his first start. Rahul Bheke, Vikram Partap Singh, and Jorge Pereyra Daz were all left out of the matchday squad due to injury.

The Islanders opened the game with the purpose of controlling the ball and the tempo, but Des Buckingham’s side took their time getting into their passing flow as Mohammedan SC dominated the ball in the opening quarter.

Mohammedan had the first significant opportunity of the game in the 14th minute, when Abhishek Ambekar tried his luck from distance, but Phurba saw the ball sail off-target. Mohammedan SC appeared menacing, but Mumbai City FC were able to handle with the Black Panthers’ early threat.

Des Buckingham was forced to make a substitution in the 21st minute of the game as Amey was stretchered out with an injury and replaced by Mandar Rao Dessai.

Mumbai City FC gradually gained control of the game as Mohammedan SC struggled to keep the Islanders in their own half. The Islanders were granted a corner in the 29th minute, which was taken by Ahmed Jahouh, whose pass dropped to Mourtada Fall on the outside of the box, who unleashed a ferocious effort that was deflected behind by a Mohammedan SC defender. The score was 0-0, but Mumbai City FC was taking control of the game.

mum winsMumbai City FC’s dominance continued as they looked threatening every time they moved forward. Mohammedan SC were having difficulty getting into the game and dealing with any of the Islanders set-pieces.

Greg Stewart produced a superb corner from the right in the 32nd minute, which was heading towards Vinit Rai, who was making a late run into the box, but was pushed away by the Mohammedan SC keeper. The Black Panthers were searching for a break from the Islanders’ never-ending barrage of attacks.

The brilliant Greg Stewart found Gurkirat with a beautiful through pass in the 45th minute, but the Mumbai City FC number 9 pulled his effort well wide of the mark.

mumSoon after, the first half finished with a score of 0-0. After some early difficulties, Mumbai City FC had settled into a passing rhythm and looked dangerous, but some sloppy finishing in front of goal meant that despite having all of the possession, the Islanders were unable to test the Mohammedan SC goalie.

Stewart, Gurkirat, and Chhangte were combining nicely at the opening of the second half. Gurkirat dropped deep in the 48th minute to play a one-two with Greg, who found Chhangte on the right side, who put a cross directly on Gurkirat’s head following a run into the box. His header, on the other hand, sailed just wide of the Mohammedan SC goal.

Despite Mumbai City FC’s dominance, Mohammedan SC looked dangerous on the counter but were unable to put Lachenpa to the test in the Islanders’ goal.

Mumbai City FC’s dominance was paying off, as Stewart received the ball in space in the Mohammedan SC box in the 60th minute after a brilliant interchange between Greg Stewart and Gurkirat Singh just on the outside of the box. The Scotsman’s magnificent goal was prevented by a world-class save by Mawia in the Mohammedan goal, who kept the score 0-0 at the hour mark.

The game’s next significant chance came in the 64th minute, when a Mohammedan SC free kick was beautifully executed by Marcus Joseph, only for it to smash into the sidenetting of the Islanders goal, as a diving Lachenpa looked dubious.

Finally, the game was heating up as both keepers were put to the test after being relatively unscathed in the first half.

Des Buckingham made a double replacement in the 66th minute, hoping to inject new legs and ideas into the game, with Mehtab and Noguera replacing Rostyn and Gurkirat, respectively.

Substitute Alberto Noguera cut inside from the right to slip a through pass to the prolific Chhangte, who blasted narrowly above goal in the 76th minute. As the game began to become an end-to-end contest, both teams were attempting to break the tie.

mum winsThe introduction of Noguera proved crucial, as the Spaniard dropped deep to give an extra passing option that the Mohammedan SC defence was struggling to control. A fantastic play from Noguera in the 83rd minute set up an opportunity for Chhangte, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. As regulation time came to a conclusion, the scores remained 0-0.

Mumbai City FC chose to commit bodies forward in the dying stages of the game, and the deadlock was ultimately broken in the 91st minute. With a wonderful lob, Greg Stewart unleashed Chhangte into free space on the right. Chhangte forced his way into the area and fooled the keeper with a clever through pass to Bipin, who neatly tapped the ball in to give the Islanders a well-deserved lead of 1-0.

The Islanders fought hard in the last minutes of the game, to the delight of Des Buckingham and his teammates. Mumbai City FC advanced to the 2022 Durand Cup Final with a 1-0 victory over Mohammedan SC, owing to a late deciding goal by Bipin. The Islanders will face either Hyderabad FC or Bengaluru FC in the VYBK Final on September 18.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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