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In a tactical move, Coach Petr Kratky made two changes, introducing Valpuia for Thaer Krouma and welcoming back Van Nieff into the playing XI, replacing Jayesh Rane in the midfield. Iker Guarrotxena continued to lead the strike force, with Chhangte and Vikram Singh providing support.
The initial opportunities favored the visitors when a corner routine resulted in the ball reaching Sana Singh just outside the box, but his shot sailed over the bar. Around the 10th minute, Bengaluru threatened again as a defensive error allowed Suresh Singh to enter the box, but his shot hit the top of the bar.
Mumbai City FC responded with an attacking move initiated by Chhangte, who capitalized on a defensive error by Sana, winning the ball inside the Bengaluru box. The subsequent ball into the center forced a vital clearance from Jovanovic. The game took on a cagey nature as both teams sought control.
In the 36th minute, Bengaluru aimed a ball deep into the Mumbai box, with Chhetri leaping highest to head towards goal. However, the Islanders’ custodian Phurba Lachenpa made a crucial save, pushing it over the bar to maintain a 0-0 scoreline.
Against the run of play, Mumbai City shifted gears. A well-executed ball into the box saw Apuia brought down after a push from behind. Exploiting the Bengaluru defence’s lapse in concentration, Chhangte quickly delivered the ball into the center, where Vikram Singh produced a clinical finish to break the deadlock, putting Mumbai City FC in the lead.
Bengaluru responded with a free-kick routine, leading to Nikhil Poojary’s shot deflecting off a defender and hitting the top of the bar before going out. The ensuing corner saw Chhetri’s header forcing a goal-line clearance from Mumbai City’s defence. On the counter, Chhangte’s looping ball inside the box met Vikram Singh’s diving header before going out for a goal kick.
In the dying moments of the half, Van Nieff’s teasing free-kick found an unmarked Valpuia right in front of the goal. However, the youngster’s header narrowly missed the target. The first half concluded with Mumbai City FC leading 1-0.
After a cagey start to the second half, Bengaluru threatened in attack. Nikhil Poojary’s looping ball from the right aimed for Chhetri to head across for a teammate, but Tiri’s timely clearance denied the opportunity.
In the 53rd minute, Bengaluru’s Shivaldo Singh received a yellow card for a high boot on Iker. The resulting free-kick from Van Nieff found Tiri at the back post, but his header went over the bar.
Mumbai City FC eventually doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Noguera found Iker with a layoff inside the box, and the latter delivered a looping cross to the far post. Vikram Singh, leaping over his marker, headed home his second goal of the night.
Despite Bengaluru introducing fresh legs through substitutions, Mumbai’s defence remained resolute. An injury forced Vikram Singh was replaced by Bipin Singh in the 66th minute, marking Coach Petr Kratky’s first substitution.
In the 72nd minute, Bengaluru came close to scoring when Javi’s free-kick from the right found substitute Monirul Molla, whose header went just wide, seconds before drinks break. Suresh Singh attempted a long-range shot, but it missed the target.
In the 82nd minute, Mumbai launched a counter-attack. Bipin’s precise delivery from the left side of the box found an unmarked Chhangte, whose header was aimed goalwards. However, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a diving save to deny the Islanders their third goal.
Bengaluru responded with an attack, but Fanai’s delivery from the left wing saw Monirul Molla unable to keep his shot on target.
To solidify the defence and break Bengaluru’s momentum, Coach Petr Kratky made three substitutions, bringing in Jayesh Rane, Sanjeev Stalin, and Thaer Krouma to replace Noguera, Valpuia, and Chhangte.
As the game entered its final phase, Bengaluru FC attempted to regain possession, conceding a couple of fouls, with Suresh Singh receiving a booking. Deep in the injury time, Mehtab replaced Akash Mishra, and Mumbai quickly countered, with Jayesh Rane releasing Iker Guarrotxena through on goal. Under pressure from two defenders, Guarrotxena struck a powerful shot that forced a good save from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
The game finally concluded with a 2-0 victory for Mumbai City FC, securing a comfortable win. The Islanders will next face Chennaiyin FC away from home on February 23.
#MumbaiCity FC score a 2-0 win against #BengaluruFC in the #ISL.
A clinical performance by #TheIslanders while the blues were wasteful. #IndianFootball
— Arunava Chaudhuri | arunfoot (@Arunfoot) February 18, 2024
