FC Goa now stands comfortably on top of the Indian Super League (ISL) with a well-rounded 4-2 win over Mumbai City FC on Thursday.
Lenny Rodrigues (27'), Ferran Corominas (45'), Hugo Boumous (59') and Carlos Pena (89') got on scoresheet as the Gaurs squashed a second half fightback from the host after Sarthak Golui (49'), Sauvik Chakravarti (55') pulled Mumbai level at 2-2.
Sportstar looks at the major talking points from the engrossing battle at the Mumbai Football Arena.
Subhasish caught napping
Of all the jarring inconsistencies in Mumbai's gameplan, it was Subhasish Bose's positioning that cost Mumbai dearest. The Indian international suffered a torrid time with the overlapping runs of Seriton Fernandes and failed to get the better of Jackichand Singh throughout the game.
His moments of indecision in the build up to the first and third goals put enormous pressure on the Mumbai defence while his contribution in the attack was threadbare. The usually reliable full back's form will have Jorge Costa grappling with a fresh headache amid the mounting injuries.
Mumbai flies but crash lands
The home side began to set the record straight against Goa, to which it lost thrice last season. The forwards pressed higher up the pitch, while the defence successfully trapped Corominas offside. Mumbai suffered from lacklustre finishing despite Paulo Machado and Diego Carlos creating a hoard of chances. The intensity fizzled out after the first quarter as Goa found rhythm going forward and exposed the porous Mumbai midfield.
Costa's men looked rejuvenated after the break but it was the defense that took the attack to Goa with Sauvik Chakrabarti, coming back from a suspension, pulling his side level with a thunderbolt. Everything pointed towards a Mumbai comeback but the host's determination to kill the tie took a backseat. Within less than six minutes from restoring parity, it found itself trailing, failing to recover thereon.
Sarthak the only bright spot for the host
Mumbai's bursts of attacking intent in the beginning of both halves came from the assurance given by the high-line defence led by Sarthak Golui. The centre-back was the best defender on the pitch with 12 clearances as his alertness and anticipation helped Mumbai convert the defence into attacks. The lanky defender stood tall amid an otherwise crumbling defence and could do nothing after Subhasish Bose's mistake allowed Seriton Fernandes to lay the ball for Corominas to slot home the second goal.
In the second half, Sarthak was also key in the build up to Mumbai's first goal after he kept a wayward corner kick alive leading to an another corner which he converted with a looping header.
Buomous risks injury to give Goa the edge
Hugo Boumous starred for FC Goa once more, creating vital chances and threatening to score at multiple points of the game. The Frenchman's understanding with his fellow forwards Jackichand and Corominas put the Mumbai defence on its toes while his well-judged header put the visitor back in the control of the match.
However, the forward took a knock to his right thigh after heading home and was seen dabbing the affected area with an ice-pack after being substituted immediately. Corominas and Jackichand are warming up for a long season, but in order to keep his poachers sharp, Sergio Lobera needs Boumous in top shape to keep the goals coming.
Comments
SHARE