Bambolim, Feb 24: Mumbai City FC kept their hopes of topping the Indian Super League standings alive after an emphatic 6-1 win against Odisha FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday.
Odisha FC started well after a successful Diego Mauricio penalty but a Bartholomew Ogbeche brace and a Bipin Singh hat-trick as well as a stunning Cy Goddard strike ensured that the Islanders go into their last match of the league phase against ATK Mohun Bagan on Sunday with a chance of clinching the League Winners Shield.
Mumbai City FC dominated possession early on but weren’t posing much of a goal threat before falling behind.
Odisha FC went in front after just nine minutes as the referee pointed to the penalty spot for a foul on Jerry Mawihmingthanga.
Mauricio stepped up and converted the spot kick after Amrinder Singh dived the right way but failed to keep out the ball.
The Islanders though struck back four minutes later courtesy of Ogbeche, who got in between two Odisha FC players and produced a bullet header from an Ahmed Jahouh freekick into the box.
As it turned out, it was simply a matter of time before Mumbai City FC took the lead as they upped the ante and blitzed Odisha FC towards the end of the first half.
Bipin scored the goal that gave the Islanders the lead in the 38th minute when he reacted quickest to dispatch a deflected Ogbeche shot that had made its way to the Indian winger in the box.
Mumbai City FC increased their lead five minutes later courtesy of another quality Jahouh set-piece that was headed into the net by Ogbeche again.
The Islanders began the second half similar to how they ended the first as Ogbeche found Bipin with a pass into the box for the Indian winger to get a shot away and make it 5-1 for Mumbai City.
The Islanders did, however, cap off the night with a sixth goal shortly after through Bipin, who was in the right place at the right time to slot home an Arshdeep Singh save on the rebound and complete his hat-trick.
Bipin was a real livewire for Mumbai City FC during their thumping win against Odisha FC. (ISL)
