Mumbai City FC defeated Bengaluru FC 2-0 in their final league game to seal a spot in the ISL playoffs at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Captain Lallianzuala Chhangte (8’) and Nikos Karelis (37’) scored crucial goals in the first-half and ensured Mumbai City FC progressed ahead in the tournament.
Mumbai City FC made a bright start to the game as they dominated possession and controlled the tempo in the opening minutes. Their efforts paid off early as Mumbai City FC found the opening goal in the eighth minute.
Valpuia launched a long ball to Vikram Partap Singh on the right wing as he played it into the box for Jorge Ortiz. Ortiz lobbed the ball towards goal but struck the crossbar. However, the ball fell to Karelis who headed the ball towards goal. Chhangte was quick to react as he tapped the ball in and earned Mumbai City FC a crucial lead.
Bengaluru FC started to open up the game and launched a few attacks but Mumbai City FC’s resilient backline denied them any chances on goal. In the 22nd minute, centre back Mehtab Singh showed great character and made a crucial interception inside the box to keep the lead intact.
In the 37th minute, Karelis was brought down inside the box by Aleksandar Jovanovic as the referee awarded a penalty for Mumbai City FC. Karelis, who just recently recovered from an injury, stepped up to the spot and buried the ball in the bottom left corner with a powerful and clean finish to extend the away side’s lead.
Bengaluru FC were close to reducing the deficit as Sunil Chhetri was through on goal but Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa came out of his line just in time to clear the ball away with a perfectly timed tackle.
With a commanding lead in hand, Mumbai City FC built on their momentum in the second-half and played a free-flowing and attacking brand of football. Bengaluru FC tried to push their players high up in search of a much-needed goal but Mumbai City’s defenders were on guard.
In the 60th minute, Karelis was subbed off for Jon Toral as coach Petr Kratky chose to rest his prolific goalscorer and save him for the playoffs. Seven minutes later, Bengaluru FC had a golden opportunity to find the net as Edgar Mendez was in front of goal with only the keeper to beat, but his finish went narrowly wide of the target.
Mumbai City FC continued to control proceedings and seemed extremely confident on the ball, making very few errors in their own half. In the 79th minute, Vikram came close to finding another goal as he fired a powerful shot from distance. The ball swerved in the air but the Bengaluru FC keeper managed to get a hand on the ball and deflected it away. The away team continued their dominant display and saw out a well-deserved win until the final whistle.
