Mumbai City FC thrashes Mohammedan, keeps slim title hopes alive

Former champion Mumbai City FC kept the race for the Indian Super League title alive with an emphatic 4-0 win over Mohammedan SC at Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Friday.

The convincing win saw Mumbai City join Kolkata giants East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the top of the current league standings with 22 points. However, East Bengal and defending champion Mohun Bagan continue to occupy the top two spots due to a superior goal difference, while Mumbai City remains third after having played one game more.

With each team scheduled to play 13 matches in the single round-robin competition this season, Mumbai City now has just one fixture remaining in its campaign. The Islanders’ title hopes will largely depend on the outcome of the much-anticipated Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan on Sunday, a contest that could prove decisive in determining the eventual champions.

The defeat also sealed relegation for Mohammedan Sporting, which remained rooted to the bottom of the table with only three points and no possibility of climbing out of last place.

Mumbai City made a fine start, taking the lead in the very first minute. Defender Sahil Panwar reacted quickest to a corner kick and fired home a fine half-volley to put the visitors ahead. Mumbai City doubled its advantage in the eighth minute through Zothanpuia before Mohammedan defender Sajad Hussain Parray accidentally turned an attempted clearance into his own net. Heavy rains forced a stoppage after 72 minutes. After action resumed, the visiting team added another goal when Brandon Fernandes scored in the 79th minute.

The result: Mohammedan SC 0 lost to Mumbai City FC 4 (Sahil Panwar 1, Zothanpuia 8, Sajad Hussain Parray 25-og, Brandon 79).