Margao, Feb 28: Mumbai City FC beat ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the final league encounter of the Indian Super League on Sunday to book a place in the coveted AFC Champions League next season.
Sergio Lobera’s side comfortably won after first-half goals from Mourtada Fall (7th minute) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (39th).
Despite losing the top spot to Mumbai, ATK Mohun Bagan will still harbour hopes of salvaging their season with a second successive Hero ISL title.
Being the team with the most goals from set-pieces this season, Mumbai drew the first blood in a similar fashion, scoring with their first shot on target.
The Mariners took control of the game soon after conceding but were forced to make a substitution in the 19th minute with Prabir Das replacing the injured Sandesh Jinghan.
Chances were far and few in between after the opening goal but it was from another set-piece that Mumbai doubled their advantage.
Mumbai started the second-half bright, piling up pressure on the Bagan defence.
The Mariners, on the other hand, hardly tested Mumbai keeper Amrinder Singh despite dominating possession after the break.
Antonio Lopez Habas’ side went all out in the closing stages of the game, hoping to script a comeback but Mumbai’s backline stood firm, defending in numbers.
Lobera will face his former team FC Goa in the two-legged semifinal of the ISL while ATK Mohun Bagan will go up against NorthEast United.
Mumbai will face Goa in the first leg on March 5 at the Fatorda Stadium.
This will be followed by NorthEast and Mohun Bagan’s first leg tie on March 6 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim.
Mumbai will play Goa in the second leg on March 8 at the GMC Stadium after which Bagan will take on NorthEast at the Fatorda Stadium on March 9.
The ‘away goal’ rule will not apply in the semifinals this season. Teams with the highest goal aggregate in their respective two-legged ties will progress to the final which will be held at the Fatorda Stadium on March 13. (Agencies)
