ISL 2025: Mumbai City FC Secures Playoff Spot with 2-0 Victory Over Bengaluru FC
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Synopsis
On March 11, Mumbai City FC clinched their playoff berth in ISL 2024-25 with a solid 2-0 win against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Goals from Lallianzuala Chhangte and Nikolaos Karelis secured the victory, placing the Islanders in sixth place with 36 points.
Key Takeaways
- Mumbai City FC secured a playoff spot.
- Lallianzuala Chhangte and Nikolaos Karelis scored.
- The match ended with a score of 2-0.
- The game took place at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
- The Islanders finished sixth with 36 points.
Bengaluru, March 11 (NationPress) Lallianzuala Chhangte and Nikolaos Karelis each netted a goal, allowing Mumbai City FC to secure their playoff position in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 with a 2-0 victory over Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday night. The Islanders concluded the league season in sixth place with 36 points, while the team managed by Gerard Zaragoza wrapped up their campaign with 38 points.
The Islanders showcased their attacking prowess right from the start, putting pressure on the Bengaluru FC defense. Their entire offensive unit clicked, with Jorge Ortiz receiving a pass from Lallianzuala Chhangte inside the box, only to hit the crossbar with a left-footed attempt.
The visitors pushed forward, with Nikolaos Karelis heading just wide from the six-yard area. However, he found the net shortly after with a precise pass to Chhangte in the penalty area, and the captain finished from close range, scoring in the eighth minute with his right foot.
In pursuit of an equalizer, Bengaluru FC attempted a different approach. Ryan Williams and Vinith Venkatesh took shots from distance around the 28th-minute mark, but the Islanders were quick to reorganize and block those attempts. Karelis displayed his keen awareness to win a penalty through his agility and converted it into the bottom right corner in the 38th minute, doubling the lead.
Chhangte and Ortiz connected again in the 56th minute, with Chhangte delivering a cross that Ortiz tried to score from close range, but it was unsuccessful.
Sunil Chhetri took it upon himself to bring the Blues back into the game, making a run into the Mumbai City FC box and setting up Edgar Mendez, whose shot narrowly missed the right post in the 67th minute.
Chhangte continued to be a driving force, playing a versatile role as both a creator and a finisher. In the 79th minute, he set up Vikram Partap Singh for a long-range shot, but the attempt was saved in the top right corner. Nonetheless, the team secured all three points, solidifying their position in the top six.
Both Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC will advance to the playoffs next.
