Mumbai City FC's Cameroonian midfielder Emana converts penalty as hosts beat Chennaiyin FC 1-0 to register second win from five ISL matches
Luck seemed to be on Mumbai City FC's side as the hosts eked out a 1-0 win to halt Chennaiyin FC's three-match winning run in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri yesterday. The hosts are now ranked fifth in the table with seven points, while Chennai remain in third place with nine. Mumbai got the all- important match-winner when Cameroon defender Achille Emana scored from the penalty spot (58th minute) for their second win in five games.
Mumbai City FC’s Achille Emana celebrates scoring against Chennaiyin FC in the Hero Indian Super League match at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri yesterday. Pic/SPORTZPICS
Coach Alexandre Guimaraes retained the same side that drew 1-1 against Kerala Blasters at Kochi recently, while visiting manager John Gregory made five changes from the side that beat ATK 3-2 at home with striker Mohammed Rafi starting upfront ahead of Jeje Lalpekhlua. To start with, MCFC found Chennai's fast pace hard to handle. MCFC's first clear chance arrived in the 15th minute when Brazilian Everton received the ball in front of the goal, but failed to connect properly and Chennai 'keeper Karanjit Singh effected a brilliant save. Then, around the half hour mark, Chennaiyin's Jude Nworuh's cross found Rafi in front of the MCFC goal, but his diving header missed the target by inches. Chennai had a great chance to take the lead in the dying minutes of the first half, but Rafi again fluffed it, when he failed to direct a Thoi Singh cross past 'keeper Amrinder Singh.
In the second half, luck again favoured the hosts when Chennai's Thoi Singh failed to smash the ball into an open goal after Rafi's shot rebounded off Amrinder. And minutes later, MCFC's Balwant Singh was brought down by Malison Alves, and Emana coolly scored from the spot.
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