ISL 4: Mumbai edge Goa in high-scoring thriller

PTI

Sports, Football

The win took Mumbai to fifth in the standings with 17 points from 12 matches, while Goa remained fourth with 19 points after 11 games.

Mumbai City FC’s Everton Santos celebrates his goal against FC Goa in their ISL-4 match in Margao.

Margao: Mumbai City came from behind to pull off a 4-3 win over 10-man FC Goa in a thrilling Indian Super League match at the Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

Mumbai, who were down 1-2 at half time, scored three goals in the second half after Goa were reduced to 10 men in the 48th minute.

The win took Mumbai to fifth in the standings with 17 points from 12 matches, while Goa remained fourth with 19 points after 11 games.

Goa, who were looking for their third successive win to maintain their fourth place, controlled the proceeding with fluid passes but were unable to penetrate Mumbai’s resolute defence.

Ferran Corominas put Goa ahead in the 34th minute, following ice build up play with Mandar Rao Desai.

However, Goa’s defence crumbled under pressure two minutes later, allowing Mumbai to restore parity through Everton Santos. Goa retaliated with venom and Manuel Lanzarote put them ahead 2-1 at the stroke of half time. Goa were reduced to 10 men after defender Seriton Fernandes received his second yellow card of the match for pulling down Santos.

The numerically superior Mumbai earned a penalty when defender Mohammed Ali was brought down by Santos. Emana Edzimbi converted the penalty to make it 2-2 in the 54th minute.

Mumbai went up 3-2 in the 70th minute through Thiago Santos. The home team did not lose hope and kept on attacking, Corominas scoring his second of the match to restore parity in the 78th.

Goa’s defence again succumbed to the pressure in the 86th as Balwant scored from close range.

Later, Jamshedpur defeated hosts ATK 1-0, courtesy a 66th minute strike from Trindade Goncalves.

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