WHERE TO WATCH
KICK-OFF: Nov 3, 7.30PM (IST) (GMT +5.30)
Chennaiyin FC 0-1 Mumbai City
Channel: Star Sports HD1, Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3.
Streaming: Hotstar, Jio TV.
Highlights: Click Here
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
MATCH PREVIEW
-Defending champions Chennaiyin will be desperately looking for a win to salvage their season when they take on Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Chennaiyin’s top scorer this season is veteran midfielder Thoi Singh with two goals which he scored in the game against NEUFC. And that speaks volumes as to how their attack is performing. They’ve conceded 10 goals this season while managing to score five. Only Pune City, their fellow bottom-table dwellers have conceded more (11).
The talented Indian midfield of Chennaiyin – Anirudh Thapa, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Francis Fernandes have fallen well short of expectations.
Jeje looks woefully out of form and hasn’t started a game since the Oct 6 game against FC Goa.
In defence, Mailson and Calderon have looked very ordinary and have been found wanting on a number of occasions.
Forward Carlos Salom finally managed a goal in their last game against ATK. The striker over the course of the season has worked hard and managed to get himself in good positions, but his finishing has let him down. Hopefully the goal against ATK should spur him on.
-If Mumbai City FC manage a win against a struggling Chennaiyin today, they will leapfrog Kerala and move into 5th place. They have been the parameter to measure how good or bad a team this ISL season – like a guide to hedge your bets on.
They lost against stronger teams – FC Goa and Jamshedpur; won against perceived weaker teams: FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos; and drew against Kerala Blasters who are again based on this season’s performance so far seem to be a middle-ground team.
In Mumbai City team news, Amrinder Singh is fit again and could start between the sticks.
Mumbai have a potent front three in Modou Sougou, Rafael Bastos and Arnold Issoko. Arnold Issoko got himself a goal and an assist in a strong, skillful performance in their last game against Delhi Dynamos. The win was important for Mumbai’s morale after their heavy defeat against FC Goa. Modou Sougou has been among the goals and Rafael Bastos has contributed well to their attacking play with his range of passing.
If the defence holds up (or if Subhashish Bose sticks to left back), and Lucian Goian is able to replicate what he is capable of, Mumbai City can be reasonably confident going into this game.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Jorge Costa, Head Coach, Mumbai City FC: “They have some good quality players and a great coach. If they get one win, Chennaiyin are the kind of a side that can go on winning.”
STARTING XI
MATCH STATS
FULL-TIME: Chennaiyin FC 0-1 Mumbai City
91′ – SUB (Mumbai City: Pranjal Bhumik [IN] Rafael Bastos [OUT])
77′ – SUB (Chennaiyin: Jeje Lalpekhlua [IN] Thoi Singh [OUT])
76′ – SUB (Mumbai City: M. Rafique [IN] Modou Sougou [OUT])
72′ – YELLOW CARD (Lucian Goian, Mumbai City)
66′ – SUB (Mumbai City: Sanju Pradhan [IN] Milan Singh [OUT])
61′ – SUB (Chennaiyin: Germanpreet Singh [IN] Isaac Vanmalsawma [OUT])
20′ -GOAL! 0-1 (Moudou Sougou, Mumbai City)
MATCH REPORT
-Chennaiyin FC slumped to their fifth defeat in six games and a top 4 play-off position looks out of reach.
Mumbai City scored in the 20th minute when Rafael Bastos latched on to a loose ball in the Chennaiyin half and played it into Modou Sougou. Sougou carried the ball into the box from the left and hit a weak shot straight at Karanjit Singh. The Chennaiyin keeper pawed the ball straight back into Modou Sougou’s path who gleefully accepted a second chance to score.
After going a goal down, Chennaiyin had the bulk of possession. Whenever they managed to string two-three passes together, their final play let them down badly. They had a solitary shot on target which is poor considering they went down a goal in the 20th minute.
Chennaiyin’s strike force looked toothless with Carlos Salom running around endlessly and Jeje being brought in too late to make a difference. They are not as effective in set piece situations as well this season which is adding to the paucity of goals.
Late into the second half, Chennaiyin team looked listless and out of ideas. There was no attempt to go forward and get the equalizer even towards the last five-ten minutes of the game.
The coaching staff doesn’t seem to be able to get the players motivated this season. The first team looks demoralised and devoid of inspiration.
Anirudh Thapa was the only player who looked like he was trying to make something happen.
-Mumbai City from the get-go today looked like they were out to get a result at the Marina Arena.
They pressed together as a team with Paulo Machado putting in a midfield masterclass. Machado was tidy in possession and lapped up loose balls all around the park.
Lucian Goian organised his defence effectively and all in all, it was a good day in office for the Mumbai defence, not withstanding the horror night they endured in the game against Goa.
With two wins on the trot, Mumbai City look stronger together. They take on Northeast United next on Nov 9.
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