Mumbai City FC secured their first victory of the 2024-25 Indian Super League season as they defeated FC Goa 2-1 in an away fixture at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. Goals from Nikos Karelis and Yoëll van Nieff secured the vital victory for the Islanders, as they stifled a spirited fightback from the hosts. With this result, Mumbai City climbs to seventh place in the standings, collecting five points from their opening four matches.
Mumbai City’s first chance came as early as the first minute when Nikolaos Karelis intercepted and found Brandon Fernandes but the latter’s shot from outside the box was off target. The Islanders were resolute in their defensive endeavours, holding off FC Goa who won four corners in the first 20 minutes of the game.
The Islanders took the lead in the 21st minute after Valpuia was fouled in a threatening position, giving them an ideal opportunity to capitalize. From the resulting free-kick, Van Nieff delivered a curling free-kick into the box, where Karelis surged ahead of the defense to head the ball powerfully into the back of the net, putting the visitors 1-0 ahead.
Goalkeeper, Phurba Lachenpa was called into action in the 28th minute when the shot-stopper parried Armando Sadiku’s right footed attempt from point blank. On the rebound, Lachenpa closed the angle and Sadiku’s second consecutive attempt went sailing over the post.
The Islanders doubled their tally in the 40th minute. In a brazen move, Van Nieff won the ball in the final third and burst forward before he fired from outside the box to make it 2-0.
The second half saw FC Goa cut the deficit when Armando Sadiku stepped up to convert a penalty in the 54th minute to make it 2-1. Following the goal, Mumbai City were subjected to a barrage of attacks as FC Goa pressed forward with intensity. Despite the pressure, the visitors maintained their composure, holding firm to keep the Gaurs at bay. In the 58th minute Tiri made a decisive intervention to block a thunderous volley from Borja Herrera.
In another chance for Mumbai, substitute Noufal broke away on the left flank to penetrate into the box, but his effort was shielded away, in the 74th minute.
Though FC Goa were unrelenting in their pursuit of an equaliser, Mumbai continued to press forward and look for a goal. Minutes before full time, Jon Toral’s cross found Mehtab Singh in the box, but the header went straight into the hands of the keeper.
Mumbai City FC will be in action again on the 27th of October when they take on Odisha FC in a home fixture.
