Mumbai FC beat Sporting Goa 1-0 in Federation Cup

Margao (Goa), Dec 30: Mumbai FC beat Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Federation Cup semi-finals alive at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here Tuesday.

A solitary goal from Sampath Kutty Mani (45+2nd minute) was enough to seal the win for Mumbai.

Mumbai started the game all guns blazing as some good play between Jayesh Rane and Rafi created their first chance. Jayesh was put through by Rafi on the right flank whose cross found Taisuke but the header was just wide. 

Both teams were approaching the game cautiously but in a few minutes, Mumbai captain Climax Lawrence found some space to shoot from long range but the ball went just over the crossbar.

The biggest threat from the Goan side was Mauvin Borges, who constantly bothered the defence of Mumbai. A few shots from Borges were well saved by Mumbai goalkeeper Kunal Sawant.

The pick of the battles was between Mumbai’s Brazilian forward – Josimar and Sporting’s defender Kofi Dankwae.

The goal came in injury time as Lawrence’s corner was blocked by the Sporting keeper only as far as Sampath, who simply had to head in the rebound to make it 1-0 for Mumbai. 

The second half saw both teams rallying to get a goal as Mumbai looked to increase their lead while Sporting Goa searched for an equaliser. The game ended with a couple of chances for Sporting Goa, but they failed to score.