October 19 2018

#MahaDerby : Mumbai City FC punish wasteful FC Pune City to claim the bragging rights and first 3 points

Mumbai City FC took the local bragging rights when they beat rivals FC Pune City 2-0 at Mumbai Football Arena.

Despite major pressure from the visiting side, Mumbai City FC used a bit of luck and some resolute defensive display to record first win of the campaign in the Indian Super League.

The scoreline suggests a one-sided encounter but that would be an unfair reflection on Pune who enjoyed large periods on top but failed to turn chances into goals as Mumbai defence produced an inspired display to keep Pune at bay.

Bragging rights at stake in Maha Derby

A maiden goal in Mumbai colours for Modou Sougou (25â€™) and a spot-kick from Rafael Bastos (45â€™) sealed the Islandersâ€™ 2-0 win, their first at home in four attempts in the Maharashtra Derby.

After a fairly uneventful start, Mumbai drew first blood through Sougou. The Senegalese forward made no error with an emphatic finish from close range after Paulo Machadoâ€™s cross had rebounded off the crossbar.

At the other end, Emiliano Alfaro was starting to look threatening for Pune and the Uruguayan vociferously appealed for a penalty after going down under Subhashish Boseâ€™s challenge, to no avail.

However, a spot-kick would be awarded at the other end eventually in the dying minutes of the first session. A scrappy phase of play found Mumbaiâ€™s attackers with a numerical advantage over Puneâ€™s defenders. Bastos attempted to set Sougou through on goal but the Senegalese was brought down by a challenge from behind from Chhuantea Fanai.

The referee had no hesitation in blowing his whistle for a penalty. Bastos stepped up for the penalty and made no mistake from the spot, sending Vishal Kaith the wrong way.

Mumbai defence keeps wasteful Punes at bay

Pune came out with some much-needed urgency after the break.Â However, it were the hosts who should have extended their lead around the hour mark when Machado surged forward on a mesmerising run. The Portugueseâ€™s attempt after cutting in from the left flew inches wide off the target.

Miguel Angel Portugal threw on Marcelinho as he sought to get his side back into the game and the Brazilian almost made an instant impact with a snapshot from the edge of the area where Amrinder Singh was alert enough.

Alfaro almost reduced the deficit in the 65th minute with a sharp turn and shot in the 65th minute following a cross from Golui. But his effort agonisingly scraped the crossbar before going out of play.

Pune apply late pressure

Jorge Costa shored up the hostsâ€™ defence as they looked to protect their two-goal lead with Puneâ€™s attackers being thwarted repeatedly despite coming forward in numbers.

There would be another spot-kick awarded in added time, once again to the hosts. A quick breakaway saw Arnold Sissoko skip past the Pune defence before he was hacked down in the box by Gurtej Singh. Lucian Goian stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was saved well by Kaith who guessed the right way.

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