ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City FC climbs to fourth spot with 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC

ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City FC climbs to fourth spot with 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC

An early goal by Nikolaos Karelis guided Mumbai City FC to a 1-0 win against Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Saturday.

Mumbai City FC dictated proceedings from the onset, pushing numbers ahead and employing a variety of options to dissect the Chennaiyin FC defence.

In the eighth minute, Lallianzuala Chhangte moved centrally and played a short pass to Yoell van Nieff, who seized the opportunity, dribbling down the middle before unleashing a shot from outside the box. Ryan Edwards’ attempted interception fell short, allowing Karelis to pounce on the loose ball and calmly slot it into the bottom right corner with his left foot.

Six minutes later, Karelis was again at the centre of the action, spearheading an offensive move and setting up the final delivery for Vikram Partap Singh, which the latter shot off target on the left side. Just before the 20th minute mark, Lukas Brambilla tried to pull one back for the Marina Machans, interlinking with Kiyan Nassiri and receiving the ball on the left side of the 18-yard box. Brambilla’s shot was saved by Mumbai City FC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh.

Contrary to the first half, Chennaiyin FC commenced the second essay on the front foot. Daniel Chima Chukwu assumed a freer role in the frontline, stretching the MCFC backline wide by moving to the left flank. He then put in a quick cross for Irfan Yadwad, who rushed in with a diving header, but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar in the 48th minute.

Chhangte tried to regain some of that losing momentum for the home team in the 54th minute, as he tested his luck from distance that was eventually saved by Nawaz in the bottom right corner.

In the 70th minute, Daniel and Irfan combined effectively to trouble the Mumbai City FC defence. Irfan’s cross found the head of the striker, but Rehenesh made a crucial save in the bottom left corner. This save proved pivotal as the Islanders comfortably defended its lead and secured all three points.

The Islanders thus secured its fourth consecutive clean sheet in the competition. With this victory, the home team moved from the seventh place to the fourth spot in the points table, accumulating 20 points from 12 games with five victories and draws each.