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Chirag United Kerala rode on goals from Asif K and David Sunday to
beat Mumbai FC 2-0, to earn three crucial points from the Round XIII of the I-League Football Championship at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Wednesday.
Host Mumbai had themselves to blame for allowing Chirag United to dictate terms from the start and once the Kerala outfit was comfortable with the situation they never let go the advantage.
David Sunday played part in both the goals—after he set the first goal in the 14th minute that left the Mumbai defence in tatters. On Sunday’s cross in the middle found Vineeth, before Asif K grabbed the chance and slotted in the goal.
After the lemon break, substitute Jimshad U Babloo cut through the right wing with Sunday running parallel in the middle. Babloo went right in before releasing the ball for Sunday to complete a set-piece in 51st minute that broke Mumbai’s resilience.
Throughout the second half, Mumbai FC tried in vain as Gbeneme Friday wanted to do everything upfront, but ended up in flaring up tempers.
Chirag had begun aggressively from the start and their game-plan of catching Mumbai FC by surprise which paid off well—an early yellow card to Asif for pulling down Friday prove out to be no dampener.
Mumbai FC had just a few chances which if applied could have rattled Chirag, but then Wednesday wasn’t there day by any measure. Vineeth worked in upfront nicely keeping the Mumbai FC defence on toes.
Man-of-the-match was awarded to Chirag’s Asif K.
Mumbai FC remain at 10th position with 14 points, while there was no change at the bottom as Chirag United will stay on 12th spot despite improving their points tally to 11.
HAL Bangalore 2 (R C Prakash 38th, Goutam Debnath 50th)
d/w
Sporting Clube de Goa 2 (Anthony D’Souza 33rd & 53rd)
