ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City Clinches Last-Minute Victory Against East Bengal
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Kolkata, Jan 6 (NationPress) Mumbai City FC emerged victorious against East Bengal FC with a scoreline of 3-2 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday. The Islanders displayed greater efficiency in front of goal, registering eight shots on target compared to the five from the home side, propelling them from seventh to fifth position in the league standings.
In the opening half, Mumbai City FC exhibited offensive brilliance, recording 12 touches inside the box of East Bengal FC. A powerful header from Nikolaos Karelis, aimed from near the six-yard box, was cleared off the line during a well-executed corner kick in the 28th minute. Tiri's delivery to Karelis was nearly fruitful, but his attempt failed to find the back of the net.
Just eleven minutes later, the visitors executed a seamless play starting from their defense. Brandon Fernandes received the ball from Vikram Partap Singh and penetrated the East Bengal FC defense with a precise through-ball intended for Lallianzuala Chhangte.
The forward controlled the ball expertly before slotting it into the bottom left corner with a powerful right-footed strike, breaking the ice.
Building on this momentum, Yoell van Nieff delivered a similar ball that navigated through the gaps in the East Bengal FC defense. This time, the ball found Karelis, whose initial shot was saved by Prabhsukhan Singh Gill. However, he seized the rebound and deftly placed it into the bottom right corner in the 43rd minute, extending their lead.
As the second half commenced, the home side intensified their attacking efforts. They refused to allow the Islanders to dictate play as they did earlier. Naorem Mahesh Singh exerted pressure on the Mumbai City FC defense in the 66th minute, pushing forward down the left wing.
Despite the defensive efforts, the ball found its way to Dimitrios Diamantakos on the right post. He attempted a close-range lateral pass, but Mumbai City FC’s Sahil Panwar inadvertently redirected the ball into his own goal, reducing the deficit for the Red & Gold Brigade.
East Bengal FC began to stretch the Mumbai City FC defense, exploring various attacking avenues and winning set-pieces to pressure their opponents. In the 83rd minute, a corner kick led to the equalizer for the Kolkata-based team. The Islanders appeared momentarily disorganized, which allowed the Oscar Bruzon-coached side to capitalize.
By flooding the box, they overwhelmed the Mumbai City FC defense. Hector Yuste cleverly headed the ball into the path of David Lalhlansanga, who used his left foot to score into the bottom left corner.
However, East Bengal FC’s celebration was short-lived as Mumbai City FC snatched the winner just four minutes later, with Karelis netting his second goal. The Islanders’ RFYC graduate, Nathan Rodrigues, delivered a well-timed cross from the left flank that unlocked the Red & Gold Brigade defense.
Hijazi Maher failed to intercept the impending threat, allowing Karelis to swiftly collect the ball and elegantly place it into the bottom left corner, securing all three points for his squad.
