Goa Clinches Victory in Style, Ending 13-Game Winless Streak Against Mumbai

Sports Football

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-13 08:44:09 |

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It was a night to forget for MumbaiCity, perfectly summed up by a calamitous mistake. Already trailing 2-0—anall-too-familiar scenario at the Mumbai Football Arena this season—any slimhopes of a comeback were extinguished by a disastrous blunder from centre-backMehtab Singh in the 64th minute. FC Goa winger Udanta Singh, who had beentormenting Mumbai’s weak defense all game, intercepted a clearance fromgoalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa and sent in a cross. Mehtab, unsure of how to handleit, inadvertently headed the ball right into the path of Borja HerreraGonzalez, who slotted it past Lachenpa at the near post to make it 3-0. At thatpoint, the game was virtually over.

The match had been set up with plentyof intrigue, especially with several players facing their former teams. Spanishstriker Iker Guarrotxena, who had an underwhelming, brief stint with Mumbailast season, returned to haunt his old club, scoring twice in the first halffor Goa. Mumbai could only offer a late injury-time penalty from captainLallianzuala Chhangte as consolation, making it a 3-1 final score.

For Goa, the victory was a stunningway to end their 13-match winless streak against Mumbai in the Indian SuperLeague. It also helped coach Manolo Marquez’s side maintain second place in thestandings with 39 points, keeping their faint hopes of catching Mohun Bagan SG(46 points) in the race for the League Winners Shield alive. On the other hand,Mumbai, who remain in fifth place with 31 points, had yet another frustratingnight at home. Although they had won 3-0 against Mohammedan SC and drawn 0-0 withEast Bengal in their previous two games, facing teams higher up the table hasbeen a struggle all season, and they suffered their fourth home loss of theseason.

The absence of injured Greek strikerNikolaos Karelis seemed to weigh heavily on the defending ISL Cup champions, ascoach Petr Kratky gave new signing Jorge Ortiz his first start. However, Ortiz,barring a late effort on target in the first half and a few moments in thesecond, couldn’t spark Mumbai into action. Similarly, Brandon Fernandes, whomade the switch to Mumbai after seven seasons with Goa, was jeered by hisformer fans in the away stand every time he touched the ball. Meanwhile,Guarrotxena had the best evening of the three players facing their old clubs.He opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a precise right-footed shot intothe bottom right corner after receiving a pass from Udanta, and then doubledGoa’s lead in the 41st minute with a well-taken half-volley from Udanta’scross.

Go!