Mumbai FC outclass Bharat FC to take fourth spot

Mumbai FC recorded their third successive victory, and first away from home, when they outclassed I-League football debutants Bharat FC 2-0 here today.
Brazilian striker Josimar Da Silva scored from a penalty in the 36th minute before Sampath Kuttymani doubled the lead in the 73rd minute to put the issue beyond their opponents.
But for some more missed chances the score-line would have been bigger in favour of the Mumbai outfit.
The win propelled Mumbai FC, with 10 points from 7 games, into 4th position behind leaders Mohun Bagan, Royal Wahingdoh and Pune FC.
Bharat, who suffered their 3rd defeat in 5 games, stay in second place from the rear with 5 points.

Mumbai FC were dominant from the outset as they controlled play in the midfield and attacked the rival citadel in waves, which put the Bharat FC citadel under a lot of pressure.

Brazilian Josimar and Mohammed Rafi were alert and quick to chase down balls provided by the midfielders to stretch the Bharat FC defence.
Once again the hard-working Japanese Taisuke Matsugane in the company of Kuttymani, Reisangmi Vashum and the young Jayesh Rane combined nicely to orchestrate the attacks.
Taisuke picked up his second 'man-of-the-match' award. He had won the award in the last match against Royal Wahingdoh last week.

The Mumbai FC defence was solid and left little scope for the Pune club to have a good look at their goal.
Nigerian Chika Wali and Justine Stephen, both playing in the heart of the Mumbai FC defence showed good understanding with the wing backs Ashutosh Mehta and Allan Dias as they coolly warded off any threat posed by the rival attackers.
Goalkeeper Nidhinlal A.C. Enjoyed a relaxed day as he was hardly tested by the Bharat FC strikers.
Mumbai FC having asserted their dominance twice came close to taking the lead but were denied by the post. In the 12th minute Rafi from the right side put Josimar in the clear but Bharat FC goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya rushed out in a bid to avert danger.

However, his clumsy clearance was picked up by Rafi, who passed the ball back to Josimar whose snap effort crashed into the near post. Five minutes later, Rafi himself was unfortunate to watch his effort bounce back off the right upright.