03 November,2009 12:52 PM IST | | IANS
Exploiting rival goalkeeping lapses, Mumbai FC won their maiden outing by finishing on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline against former champions Mohun Bagan in the I-League on Monday.
Despite maintaining greater ball possession, Bagan had to eat an humble pie mainly due to the costly lapses of custodian Shilton Pal, who took his place under the bar as an injured Sangram Mukherjee had to stay away.
Abhishek Yadav and Bashiru Abbas found the target for the visitors while Snehashish Chakraborty pulled one back for the local side in the tie at Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat, about 30 km from here.
Mumbai FC struck soon after the start, with Yadav's weak header following a Subhas Chakraborty centre entering the net, as Pal failed to come anywhere near the ball. The match was then not even a minute old.
The Mumbaikars doubled the lead in the 41st minute after Pal needlessly collided with teammate and defender Sangram Mandi. The loose ball travelled to Bashiru who calmy guided it into the vacant goal.
Mohun Bagan stepped on the gas in the second session, carrying out waves of attack, and finally got results on the hour mark. Snehasish scored of a rebound after substitute Banco Cardozo's shot from the right was partially thwarted by goalkeeper AC Nithinlal.
Encouraged by the goal, Bagan played with gusto, but the Mumbai FC defenders stood firm. The three-time champions saw their attackline somewhat blunted with dangerman Edeh Chidi policed to submission by the ultimate winners.
After six rounds, Bagan are at the sixth slot with nine points, three more than Mumbai FC. The visitors hold the eighth position.
