Mumbai strike late to pip Churchill

Churchill Brothers FC saw at least a point slip through their fingers as Lallianzuala Chhangte scored an extra time penalty to help Mumbai City FC register a 2-1 win in the Super Cup group D clash in Manjeri, Kerala, on Tuesday.

Churchill took an early lead through Ansumana Kromah in the ninth minute, only for Mumbai to restore parity through Mehtab Singh’s header in the 26th minute. And just when the match appeared heading for a draw, Chhangte converted a penalty in the third minute of added-on time to give Mumbai all three points.

Churchill will be disappointed that they could not get anything out of the game. For some spells during the game, the two-time I-League champions had their chances to kill the game but missed chances came back to haunt them.

Mumbai, fielding an all-India squad, also saw one of their attempt hit the crossbar, while Vikram Singh went close from handshaking distance.

Both teams seemed to be involved in a competition to waste opportunities that came their way right throughout the match.

ISL shield winners Mumbai had announced an all-Indian side for the Super Cup. On Tuesday, the team management would have realised the importance of their foreign recruits. Their forwards Bipin Singh and Chhangte, who made an impact in ISL and AFC qualifiers, appeared bereft of ideas.

For Churchill, Kromah and Uruguayan forward Martin Chaves started upfront, but with the Liberian playing just one match for the club, there seemed to be lack of understanding.

Churchill took an early lead as Mumbai custodian Phurba Tempa Lachenpa took too long to clear his lines. Kromah snatched the ball from Lachenpa, dribbled past him and calmly slotted the ball into an open net.

Mumbai got back on level terms in the 26th minute. They got a free kick after Anil Gaonkar fouled Hardik Bhatt. Rowllin Borges’s brilliant freekick was headed into the net by Mehtab. Though Churchill goalkeeper Nora Fernandes managed to get a glove on the ball, he was unable to keep it out.

The teams kept on creating chances after the breather, but a goal eluded them.

Towards the fag end of the match, Churchill defender Joseph Clemente brought down Vikram Pratap inside the box. The referee had no doubt in pointing to the penalty spot and Chhangte smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to bring joy to the Mumbai camp.


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