Mumbai Football Club adopted the attacking style that coach Santosh Kashyap promised. Thoi Singh struck a stunning 22nd minute goal in the opening I-League 2017 game for the home team. Goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani held his ground to thwart numerous raids by DSK Shivajians, resulting in a hard-earned 1-0 victory.
DSK made the early moves, threatened near the rival's goalpost but Kattimani remained in control of the situation, assisted by hard-working defence in front of him. Thoi's goal came out of the blue, keeping MFC in high spirits till the final whistle.
In a game marked by end-to-end action, the chunky midfielder startled the DSK backline and custodian Soram Poirei. Thoi approached the ball bouncing around the centre of the box, and hit it to the underside of the crossbar.
Kattimani had an easy second half as his defenders grew in confidence to deal with crosses from the flanks, balls floated in off free-kicks and numerous corner-kicks. Sasha Kolunja overlapped for DSK from his central defensive role, headed powerfully forward but the MFC goalkeeper was in position to block.
Spaniard Juan Querro, the DSK skipper, darted all over the rival half and kept his teammates busy with classy passes on the run, but a goal remained elusive. Thoi set up captain Steven Dias for a crack at goal with a speedy burst through the middle from the centre line upto the box. The latter moved into position but mistimed his shot.
The second half saw frenetic activity in the visitor's half. Thoi involved in most of the moves around the middle and right, testing defenders by tapping the ball into free space and trying to get round his man. Siam Hanghal displayed a cool head and ability to drift into space when in possession. Querro and Kim Song-Yong slogged for DSK upfront, but a goal proved elusive in their first away game.
Scores: Mumbai FC 1 (Thoi Singh) bt DSK Shivajians FC 0.
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