Pune: Mumbai FC crashed to their third-straight defeat at home after they lost 1-0 to Mohun Bagan in the Round 7 match of the Airtel I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex.
A solitary goal from Manish Bhargav sealed the tie as Mumbai found it difficult to get hold of the game.
A sense of urgency was evident from both camps as Mumbai FC and Mohun Bagan pressed each other in the early exchanges of the afternoon kick off.
Mumbai, who were without the services of Haroon Amiri, enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half hour. A free kick from Mumbai front man Sanjdar Ahmadi came close but did not challenge Bagan Shilton Pal enough as both teams cancelled each other out.
Ahmadi even tried his luck from the distance as the hosts were keen on landing the first goal and break the trend of playing catch up.
Bagan’s Yusa Katsumi offered the best attacking outlet for the visitors as the Japanese was orchestrating all the attacks. Mumbai, still winless at home and having suffered two straight defeats at home, played as a compact unit.
Their defence, which was so easily breached by Shillong Lajong last week, offered more steel as they were quick in their tackles and cleared any danger posed by the Bagan defence.
Katsumi and Manuel D’Souza were involved in a personal battle as the Mumbai man imposed himself on the Japanese with some tough tackling.
The first half ended all square as both teams failed to find a breakthrough. Bagan began the second half at break neck speed as Katsumi sped through the left flank and delivered a low cross into the box.
Striker Sabeeth Sathyan failed to finish past a charging Kunal Sawant who injured his shoulder in the process.
But Bagan looked threatening and broke the deadlock when a cross from the right wing by Pritam Kotal was headed home by Manish Bhargav in the 53rd minute of the match.
The first card of the day was brought out as Bagan picked up two yellow cards in quick succession. Mumbai were sitting deep in the second half and the hosts were unable to find a breakthrough.
Mumbai’s best chance in the second half came from a free kick just outside the box. The chance went begging as Ahmadi’s effort went over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
The Afghan striker was once again involved in an attack when a solo run into the box allowed him to take a shot at Pal. The shot did not find the target and went wide off mark as Mumbai kept pressing for an equalizer.
In a last ditch effort, Mumbai coach Khalid Jamil brought on Rohit Mirza for Lalrinchhana Tochhawng in the 86th minute.
Bagan played with caution in a bid to save the lead and allowed very little space to Mumbai whose best chances came from free kicks. One such free-kick landed into the danger area but was safely punched away by Pal.
With minutes remaining, Sankar Oraon got his marching orders by picking up a second yellow after dangerous challenge on Rohit Mirza. But it was Bagan’s day as they walked away with all three points with Bhargav earning the Man of the Match.
