Mumbai snatches nail-biting victory against Jamshedpur

Mumbai City FC gave its hunt for an Indian Super League (ISL) 2019-20 play-off spot a massive boost after a dramatic 2-1 win over Jamshedpur FC at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Thursday.

Noe Acosta’s (7’) early penalty gave away side Jamshedpur the lead. But Mumbai City pegged it back, courtesy a header from Amine Chermiti (60’). A late injury-time strike from Bidyananda Singh (90+2’) handed MCFC the win. Mumbai City is now five points clear of fifth-placed Chennaiyin FC with 26 points from 16 games.

Jamshedpur (15 points from 16 matches) is seventh on the table and has seen its chances of reaching the play-offs end. The game sprung to life minutes after kick-off. Sergio Castel headed an Aitor Monroy free-kick straight at Amrinder Singh before Sourav Das made a clumsy challenge that brought down Farukh Choudhary inside the box.

Jamshedpur broke the deadlock in the fifth minute as Acosta sent Amrinder the wrong way from the resultant penalty. Mumbai City tried to mount an immediate response. Diego Carlos played a cross-field diagonal for Raynier Fernandes, whose powerful low strike from the right forced a good save off Subrata Paul.

Close to the half-an-hour mark, Carlos, Amine Chermiti and Raynier combined well in and around the box to set up Mohammad Larbi, whose hurried strike flew over the bar. Minutes later, Monroy launched a counter-attack and found Castel’s dangerous run into the box. The striker outfoxed Pratik Chaudhari inside the box but his shot was blocked by Mato Grgic.

MCFC bossed the midfield after the restart but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances against an organised Jamshedpur defence. Subhasish Bose unleashed a fierce left-footed shot from the edge of the box to test Subrata as the experienced goalkeeper was up to the task.

The pressure soon paid off as the host equalised at the hour mark. Chermiti escaped Narender Gahlot’s attention inside the box and headed into the net from a well-taken corner-kick by Carlos. The winger threatened from the right again as Mumbai City pushed for a second goal.

Serge Kevyn failed to connect the Brazilian’s low cross into the box in front of an empty net. Amrinder Singh, who did not have much to do for most of the second half, pulled off a brilliant reflex save in the 84th minute to keep the scoreline intact. Acosta’s curling cross was headed towards goal by Castel but Amrinder denied the forward from close range.

That save would prove to be crucial as substitute Bidyananda came up with the match-winner for MCFC in injury time. Pratik headed a hopeful cross into the box into the path of Bidyananda, who hit a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.