Kolkata, Dec 30 (IANS) Three-time champions Mohun Bagan rode past Mumbai FC 2-0 to climb up to the seventh slot in the prestigious I-League soccer here Thursday.
Subair Muritala Ali struck towards the end of the opening session before Asim Biswas consolidated the city giants’ position in the second half at the Salt Lake stadium.
Mohun Bagan now have eight points, one less that the Mumbai side, who occupy the fourth place in the chart.
The formidable city outfit lived on the edge for a large part of the match as their suspect defence time and again erred in anticipating the rival moves. However, Mumbai FC’s inept finishing enabled Bagan end the day on a joyous note.
The locals took the lead with a move that saw Brazilian Jose Barreto doing the spadework and playing a one-two with Snehasish Chakraborty before setting up Muritala who headed home.
Asim doubled the lead in the 79th minute with a piledriver after Mumbai FC custodian Ishan Debnath’s miskick.
There were moments of anxiety soon after the match ended as Mumbai FC medio Ebi Sukore passed out briefly following Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Pal stamping his boot on his chest unintentionally as both players went for the ball, seconds before the final whistle. However, Sukore revived soon, much to the relief of his teammates.
