Minerva Punjab shock for Mumbai FC
Mumbai, February 4: Mumbai FC suffered a shock defeat as they went down fighting 1-2 to Minerva Punjab in a seventh round I-League 2016-2017 clash at the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, Punjab on Saturdayevening.
Young attacking strikers Baoringdao Bodo (57th minute) and Anirudh Thapa (66th minute) struck the two crucial goals to snatch a stunning win for the Punjabi’s wjo tasted their first success in the competition. The Santosh Kashyap coached Mumbai outfit, who despite producing a compact attacking display could only manage one goal through Karan Sawhney’s 77th minute header.
Host Minerva Punjab buoyed by their draw with Churchill Brothers earlier this week, staved off a strong challenge from the Mumbai side and were fortunate to pull off the win.
Kashyap started without Thoi Singh who has taken leave to get married and Victorino on the injured list. Densill Theobald, from Trinadad and Tobago spearheaded the Mumbai attack against the Punjab side. The first half witnessed an even battle and Mumbai FC were unlucky in the first half as skipper Steven Dias’ snap shot narrowly sailed over the horizontal bar. The home side also had a couple of attempts at the Mumbai goal, but the scoreboard remained blank at the end of the first session.
In the second period both teams went all out in attack and tried to find the back of the net before Minerva Punjab managed to break the deadlock. Minerva scored their first goal after a deflected cross from Anirudh Thapa fell perfectly for Bodo and he coolly tapped home past goalkeeper Laximkant Kattimani.
The second goal followed soon as Thapa from a well-executed free-kick beat Kattimani to the far post.
Mumbai fought on gamely and did well to cut the lead when Steven Dias’ swinging was headed in to goal by Sawhney giving goalkeeper Arnab Das no chance to make a save.
Minerva Punjab FC leapfrog Chennai City FC to the ninth spot in the table with five points whereas Mumbai FC continue their quest for the elusive point following consecutive five defeats in the league.
Mumbai FC now travel to the south of the country to take on Chennai City FC on Saturday, February 11.
Results:
Minerva Punjab FC 2 (Baoringdao Bodo 57th min, Anirudh Thapa 66th min) beat Mumbai FC 1 (Karan Sawhney 77th min).