Mumbai City FC beat FC Pune City 1-0 in their opening match of the 2016 Hero Indian Super League in front of an 8,189-strong crowd at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Monday evening. The solitary goal of the match came in the 69th minute after a brilliant touch by Diego Forlan set up Matias Defederico who applied the finishing touches to bag all three points for his side.
After a cagey start to the match that saw both sides cancel each other out in the opening exchanges, FC Pune City registered the first shot of the game on goal in the 10th minute through an Arata Izumi header that Roberto Volpato collected comfortably in Mumbai’s goal.
Pune were denied the game’s opener again five minutes later when a deflected direct free-kick by their skipper Bruno Arias found its way to Jonatan Lucca. The Brazilian midfielder took a first-time shot on goal but Volpato was placed perfectly in goal to make a save low to his right.
The Stallions should have taken the lead in the 38th minute after a defence-splitting pass from deep carved open Mumbai’s defence as Gustavo Oberman found himself one on one with the keeper. Volpato came to the visitors’ rescue yet again by making a superb save to deny Oberman.
The last chance of the half went the away side’s way after Forlan threaded in a delightful ball to Krisztian Vadocz. Gouramangi Singh though read the danger perfectly and made a crucial block to deny the Hungarian striker just before the break to make it 0-0 at half-time.
Sena Ralte had the first chance of note in the second period as the game approached the hour mark. The buccaneering left-back cut in from the left flank before unleashing a powerful shot on goal that failed to test Edel Bete in FC Pune City’s goal.
It was a sign of things to come as Mumbai took the lead just nine minutes later thanks to an exquisite touch by Forlan that found its way to Defederico. The Argentine winger composed himself to finish expertly from just outside the penalty area and make it 1-0 to Mumbai.
The hosts responded immediately as Jesus Tato was played through on goal by Lucca with only the keeper to beat. Volpato stood firm, however, to prevent Pune from equalising, much to disappointment of the home crowd.
Tato had another chance to get his name on the scoresheet nine minutes from time. Volpato though was placed perfectly at his near post to make another save for Mumbai and add to the growing sense of frustration amongst the Pune ranks.
Substitute Jackichand Singh could have made it 2-0 in injury time for Mumbai when a pacey run down the left flank caught the Stallions backline napping. The diminutive winger’s shot on goal was just put behind for a corner by Pune’s defence as the match ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors at full-time.
Match awards:
Club Award – Mumbai City FC
Amul Fittest Player of the Match - Pronay Halder
DHL Winning Pass of the Match - Diego Forlan
Maruti Suzuki Swift Moment of the Match - Roberto Volpato Neto
ISL Emerging Player - Sena Ralte
Hero of the Match - Matias Defederico
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