Pune: Mumbai FC survived some tense moments towards the end before lifting themselves to notch up a narrow 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong in the 23rd round I League match at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium here on Wednesday.
Man-of-the-match Gbeneme Friday (24th minute) scored the opening goal for the Khalid Jamil-coached team, which played without three of their main players due to bookings. But it was Ebi Sukore (65th) who did the hard work to see Mumbai FC through in a must-win situation.
For Shillong Lajong, Sushil Singh (88th) pulled one back in the dying moments of the match.
Starting the game with 17 points from 22 matches, Mumbai FC needed to win to come out of the relegation zone. With just three matches remaining after today’s tie, it was imperative for the Mumbai outfit to earn full points to be able to steer clear of Chirag United Kerala, which lost 0-4 to Churchill Brothers in Goa.
The win helped Mumbai FC move, three points clear of Chirag United, but the Kerala team has played a match less. In the remaining matches, Mumbai FC has fixtures against all bottom-placed team — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Pailan Arrows and Chirag — something that Jamil must be wishing as silver line to look for and save team from relegation.
Shillong Lajong began the match in high spirits as their supporters out numbered that of Mumbai FC, who incidentally were host for this tie.
Eugenson Lyngdoh and Lalthuammawia Ralte began the attack soon after the match began, but Dhanachandra Singh and Nicholas Rodrigues held firm for Mumbai FC. Ebi Sukore then began to move up with Faizal Rehman and Gbeneme Friday in tow.
In the 25th minute, Sukore moved up before setting Friday in the middle. The wily Nigerian made no mistakes in putting the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Lajong delayed in sending substitute Renedy Singh, who given a chance could have made the difference. But in coach P Reddy’s scheme of things, Renedy could not do justice to the time he was given to play.
Mumbai FC didn’t sit on just one-goal lead and went all out to force more and in turn earned a penalty when Sukore was fouled in the box.
He coolly tapped the ball from the spot to give Mumbai FC 2-0 lead that brought evident smile on Jamil’s face, who is walking on a thin rope after having joined the team with much fanfare.
Lajong pushed to reduce the margin and after Seikhahao Tuboi’s goal was disallowed after line official ruled him offside, there was an urgency in Shillong’s game.(PTI)