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Kerala Blasters FC beat Mumbai City FC 3-0 to record their second win of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season. It is noteworthy that center-back Maurdada was shown a red card for the Fall Islanders early in the second half at the PJN Stadium in Margao, Goa on Sunday. Sahal (27 ‘) opened the scoring for the Blasters in the first half. Alvaro Vazquez (47 ‘) doubled the lead shortly after the resumption. Shortly afterwards, Fall Red (50 ‘) saw Mumbai City FC reduced to ten men. Pereira Diaz then converted from the spot 3-0. The Blasters could have scored but the Islanders were able to keep the clean sheet to concede their second defeat of the season.
Earlier, table toppers Mumbai City FC started on the front foot and had a great chance to take the lead in the fifth minute when Mander Rao Desai’s cross from Igor Angulo’s header made it easy for Prabhu Sukh Gill. Will save. Six minutes later, Vasquez tried his luck from a distance to catch Mohammed Nawaz from his line, but the Mumbai City FC custodian recovered just in time to dismiss it. The Blasters interrupted Mumbai City FC’s passing rhythm after making mistakes from the defending champions.
In the 27th minute, Ivan Vukomanovic’s team considered one of their chances when they found a cross from George Dias Sahal behind the Mumbai City FC defense. Kerala Blasters FC’s youngster Navas broke the deadlock to give the Blasters the lead.
Mumbai City FC then tried their best to keep up the pressure but the Blasters were able to thwart their attempts. In the 39th minute Lalenmavia had a chance to equalize but on the other hand he skied his volley differently than Sahal.
Kerala Blasters get off to a flying start
Halfway through, the Islanders were disappointed as the Blasters were able to maintain the lead at half-time. At the beginning of the second period, things got worse among the leaders. Ivan Vukomanovic’s team got off to a dream start when Vazquez doubled their lead with a happy finish two minutes into the resumption.
Mumbai City FC’s misery continued to escalate as Fall fouled a Blasters player inside the box, conceding a penalty and receiving a second yellow card. In the 51st minute, Perera overcame Navas with his spot kick to give Mumbai City FC a 10-0 lead in the 10-0 win over the Blasters.
Des Buckingham brought in double substitutes Ygor Catatau and Hmingthanmawia, and the Islanders regained their balance. Bipin Singh missed a great opportunity to get his team on the score sheet. Four minutes later, when Mehtab Singh scored the highest score in the box, Mumbai City FC had another chance to score, but his header failed to find the back of the net.
Then the Blasters brought in new legs and they were able to end the decisive victory, which took them to fifth on the list. Despite the defeat, Mumbai City FC remained in first place by four points. The Islanders’ next match is against North East United on December 27, when Kerala Blasters FC will take on Chennai FC on Wednesday in the Southern Derby.
Head-to-Head
The two teams have faced each other 14 times, with Mumbai City FC winning one of those encounters while Kerala Blasters FC won the match only twice, with the remaining six matches ending in a draw.
It is noteworthy that Kerala Blasters FC have not won against Mumbai City FC in the last three seasons and their last win was in the 2017-18 season.
The main players
Mumbai City FC
Ahmed Jahu: The midfielder has not been great for the Islanders this season. The 33-year-old is the powerhouse of Mumbai City FC, the most touching player in his team and the league (532).
In addition to being the best assist provider in the league (5), he has also created the most chances (16) this season behind Greg Stuart. In defense, Jahu has the most interceptions (13) and tackles (43) among Mumbai City FC players.
Kerala Blasters FC
Adrian Luna: The midfielder has been instrumental in Kerala Blasters FC’s transitional attack and defense, with three assists in five games and a lot of build-up to the goal.
In the defense, the 29-year-old has 18 tackles, four interceptions and five blocks. Luna’s tireless stamina is a stimulus for Kerala Blasters FC to press, counter-press and defend.
