Mumbai FC pay for poor defending, suffer 3rd defeat

Searching for their first point, Mumbai FC after showing early promise went on to lose their way and finished on the losing side. In the 8th minute Pune FC took the lead when Luciano Sarbosa capitalised on a defensive lapse to unleash a right-footer which took a deflection off Ashutosh Mehta and into the goal. Mumbai FC quickly regrouped and restored parity four minutes later through their Brazilain striker Josimar who tapped in the rebound after the first attempt by Milagres Gonsalves came back off a defenders’ leg.

Thereafter, there was more of midfield action before Pune FC’s Darko Nikac was left unmarked at the far post and he coolly headed home Edgar Marcelinio’s cormer from the left in the 31st minute to give the home  team the lead for the second time, which they carried till the end of the first half.

After the restart, Mumbei FC tried to apply pressure on the rival goal but without success and later were dealt a body blow as skipper Climax Lawrence sustained an injury and had to be replaced by Reisangmi Vashum in the 58th minute.

In the 85th minute, Pune FC capitalised on another defensive error to increase the lead. The Mumbai FC defenders failed to stop substitute Nikhil Kadam’s cross from the left reach R. Seouka whose tap went in off a defender.

Later, Mumbai FC goalkeeper Nidhinlal did well to make a couple of saves to deny Pune from adding to their tally before substitute Mohammed Rafi’s header found the mark in the 89th minute. However, in the remaining 4 minutes of additional period the Mumbai team could not find the third goal, which would have earned them a point.