Two top-class sides, Mohun B. and Mumbai will lock horns for the first time in Indian Football League 2020-21. Both sides have lost just once this season and are the top contenders to lift the trophy.
Match Timings: Jan 11, 7:30 PM IST
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Sergio Lobero will finally have a challenging task this season when Mumbai takes on the Mariners in the most fascinating match of Indian Football League 2020-21. Mumbai started 2021 in a positive way and took the top spot from Habas’s side with a 3-1 victory against Bengaluru. Islanders started the scoring in the 9th minute as Mourtada scored a goal through Bipin Singh’s corner-kick. Bipin Singh involved in another goal and he sent the ball past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the 15thminute through the terrific cross from Mandar Rao Dessai. With two early goals, Bengaluru looked dull and Mumbai continued its dominance in the second half. Blues came close in the 62nd minute but couldn’t get the score but skipper Chhetri avoided conceding the clean-sheet as India International scored a goal through penalty. Lobero’s men took advantage of Gurpreet Singh and substitute Bartholomew Ogbeche made it 3-1 from a corner-kick.
This Mumbai-Kolkata clash is going to be a bigger than Kolkata derby as both Mariners and Islanders are in solid form this season. Both teams are separated by two points in the table and the winner of this game will strengthen its chances at the top. If Mumbai emerges victorious, they will take a 5-points advantage over the Mariners.
Meanwhile, Habas’ men had a glorious season and had faced just one defeat this season. They have won six matches and drawn two out of nine matches. Mariners have a solid chance to take the top spot back but they have to beat Lobero’s side. In the previous outing, they edged past the Northeast and regained their top spot which was later taken by Mumbai. The first half ended without any scoring but the Mariners continued to dominate the possession. Tiri deflected Edu Garcia’s corner-kick and Roy Krishna took advantage to send the ball past Gurmeet Singh. The Kolkata giants doubled their lead through an own goal from Benjamin Lambot. Rochharzela and Idrissa Sylla failed to take chances for the Highlanders. Habas’ side kept another clean-sheet and grabbed three points.
The reliability on Roy Krishna is a big point in Mariners. Teh other players have to step up for the attack. The Fijian striker has scored six out of 10 goals this season for Mohun B. Habas’s men have scored just once in the first half and the majority of the goals were recorded in the second half. Antonio Habas has to change this approach. No doubt, they are the best defensive side with two finest center-backs, Tiri and Sandesh Jhingan. Monday’s clash against Lobero would be a tough task for Habas.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Mohun B.
Arindam Bhattacharya, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Tiri, Subhasish Bose. Carl McHugh, Sahil Sheikh, Edu Garcia, Prabir Das, David Williams, Roy Krishna
Current form: W D W W D
Previous match: 2-0 victory against Northeast
Mumbai
Amrinder Singh; Mandar Rao Dessai, Mourtada Fall, Amey Ranawade, Hernan Santana, Rowllin Borges, Ahmed Jahouh, Bipin Singh, Raynier Fernandes, Hugo Boumous, Adam Le Fondr
Current form: W W W D W
Previous match: 3-1 victory against Bengaluru
Key Players
Mohun B.
Roy Krishna
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Manvir Singh
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Mumbai
Adam Le Fondre
6 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Hugo Boumous
3 goals & 4 assists in Indian Football League 2020-21
