Mumbai: Despite giving it their best shot, Mumbai FC were unfortunate to conceded a couple of soft goals which resulted in their 1-3 loss to Salgaocar SC, Goa in a 10th round I-League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao on Saturday. Playwin is the official sponsor of Mumbai FC.
Jaison Vales and Bikash Jairu were lucky to find the target from rebounds in the first half and Rocus Lamare scored from a penalty for the hosts. Mumbai FC got their lone goal through Milagres Gonsalves late in the match.
The defeated ended the Mumbai club’s six games unbeaten run. Mumbai FC with 12 points have moved a rung down to 7th position in the 11-team table. Salgaocar, who were beaten 3-0 by the Mumbai side in away match, now tally 14 points and have climbed to the 4th position.
The Goans grabbed the first opportunity that came their way to forge ahead when Jairu’s shot took a wicked deflection off defender Rahul Bheke and landed at the feet of Vales who slotted home past goalkeeper Kunal Sawant who started in place of Nidhinlal A.C. in the Mumbai goal.
Mumbai FC took that setback in their stride and fought on gamely. They created a couple of chances and in the 18th minute Bheke with a measured cross found ace striker Josimar Da Silva unmarked in the centre. But Josimar’s header was collected by Salgaocar goalkeeper Subrata Paul to deny Mumbai FC the equaliser.
Mumbai FC were once again caught on the wrong foot when Sawant did well to stop a shot from Vales. But to his dismay the rebound went back to Vales who then chipped it across for Jairu whose header went in despite goalkeeper Sawant’s valiant effort in the second minute of first half additional period.
The Khalid Jamil coached Mumbai FC outfit showed plenty of fighting spirit and went all out in search of goals in the second period and came close in the 59th minute. But Mohammed Rafi’s snap attempt had goalkeeper Paul completely beaten but the ball struck the upright much to the dismay of the Mumbai FC players.
Salgaocar third goal came from a penalty, which was awarded after the ball struck the hand of defender Allan Dias inside the box. Lamare stepped up and sent Sawant the wrong way to make it 3-0 to the home team in the 64th minute.
For all the hard work, Mumbai FC finally found the net in the third minute of injury time as substitute Milagres Gonsalves dived in at the far post to nod home Rafi's cross from the left.
Results:
Salgaocar FC 3 (Jaison Vales 5th, Bikash Jairu 45+2nd, Rocus Lamare 64th) beat Mumbai FC 1 (Milagres Gonsalves 90+3rd).
