Mumbai City 2-1 Mohun Bagan
Mumbai Football Arena
20 December 2023
Attendance: 6,282
Scorers: Greg Stewart (44′), Bipin Singh (73′), Jason Cummings (25′).
Sending offs: Akash Mishra (13′), Greg Stewart (88′), Vikram Pratap Singh (90’+10′), Rahul Bheke (90’+10′), Ashish Rai (54′), Liston Colaco (57′), Hector Yuste (90’+10′).
Last night’s encounter between Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan at the Mumbai Football Arena, resulted in an instant classic. With the campaign approaching a crucial part the fixture promised to be an entertaining top half of the table clash. It would be an understatement to mention the contest will go down as one of the most exciting matches in recent memory.
First Half
The game was entrance and physical right from the get go. Several fouls were awarded within the starting minutes of the game. Akash Mishra was the first to be sent off when the clock reached 14 minutes. Another few minutes of physical football followed. In the 25th minute Liston Colaço found Jason Cummings, who opened the scoring for the visitors. It was fouls after freekicks after fouls in the remainder of the half. Towards the end of the half, Bipin Singh assisted Greg Stewart with a cross to complete the equaliser. Deepak Tangri and Jorge Pereyra ended up in the book late into injury time.
Second Half
Another half of violent football ensued as Asish Rai was sent off to reduce the contest to 20 men. Several bookings were done on either side of Liston Colaço’s sending off in the 57th minute. Bipin Singh took advantage of the number’s advantage to take the lead through an assist from Bipin Singh. Despite several chances being created by both teams, none were converted. Greg Stewart’s second yellow reduced both teams to 9 men each. In the dying moments of the match chaos ensued when Vikram Partap Singh was booked for the second time. This was immediately followed by the sending offs of Rahul Bheke and Héctor Yuste.
The Bigger Picture
Following the Mumbai City 2-1 Mohun Bagan result, the hosts find themselves level on points with the visitors but trail in the table due to goal difference. Mohun Bagan holds the 3rd position with a game in hand over 4th place MCFC. Notably, this result marks the first loss of the season for the Kolkata-based club, further emphasising the significance of the encounter.
