23 November,2016 08:34 AM IST | | Noel D'Souza
Mumbai City FC became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) after a thoroughly deserving 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC
Mumbai City FC became the first team to seal a place in the semi-final of the Indian Super League (ISL) Season 3, and also record a rare 2-0 win at home against the defending champions Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri yesterday.
Chennaiyin were the only team Mumbai haven't beaten at home going down 0-3 in 2014 and 0-2 in the last edition. But goals from Matias Defederico in the 32nd minute and Krisztián Vadócz in the 60th minute helped the local outfit turn the tables on the defending champions this time around.
Both sides were goalless after half an hour. But in the 32nd minute Mumbai midfielder Defederico broke the deadlock scoring this season's 100th goal. The ball was played into Vadócz who played Sunil Chhetri through. With the help of a slight deflection, Chhetri found the 27-year-old Argentinian who blasted the ball into the back of the net.
The Ranbir Kapoor co-owned outfit found the back of the net for the second time in the 60th minute, but it wasn't without the help of Uruguayan international Diego Forlan's assist, who sent a lob to Vadócz who was positioned just outside the box. Vadocz chested it, before unleashing a powerful volley towards the left post.
Mumbai could have made it 4-0 but it was certainly not Chhetri's night. He got two brilliant chances, but on both occasions blasted the ball wildly over the bar.
With just one home game to go against Delhi Dynamos on December 3, Mumbai will surely be happy with this performance. To add to it, they have kept six clean-sheets, the most by a team this season.
