The opening match of the Indian Super League (ISL) between Mumbai City vs Chennaiyin ended in a painful loss for Chennaiyin FC because of a defensive error and a winning score of 1-0 for Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena. There was very little quality attacking in the match until one unexpected play determined the outcome.
Mumbai City vs Chennaiyin FC – Match Recap Summary:
Final score: 1 – 0 (Mumbai City Victory over Chennaiyin)
Goal: Pritam Kotal (Own Goal – 49th Minute)
Stadium: Mumbai Football Arena
Mumbai FC is ranked 4th out of 12 teams in the Indian Super League (ISL) after this match. The only goal of the match occurred in the second half. Unbelievably, it was an own goal from the co-captain of Chennaiyin FC, Pritam Kotal.
Pritam Kotal’s own goal in the 49th minute was the turning point in the match between Mumbai FC and Chennaiyin FC. A quasi-harmless ball put into the box by Joni Kauko took an unfortunate bounce off Kotal, who was unguarded in the box. The ball went into the right side of the net, leaving the Chennaiyin defence shell-shocked.
Kauko was given the credit for the assist, although luck was clearly on the side of Mumbai City that night. The own goal was the difference between the two teams in a closely contested match. It was a sour moment for Kotal, who was unfortunate in the match despite Chennaiyin’s disciplined display at the back.
Analysis of the First Half: Rusty and Lacking Clinical Finish
In the first half of the mumbai city vs chennaiyin clash, neither side were able to find their feet, resulting in a first half that featured loads of overthrown passes.
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Lots of stop and start action as players on both sides struggled to find a groove due to constant foul stoppages, some long-range attempts that couldn’t find the target; a number of blocked shots from Chennaiyin and few chances to score before the half was concluded (0-0).
Chennaiyin FC turned it up after they allowed a goal at the end of the second half and came out to be the aggressors in the final few minutes of the game. They poured it on in search of an equalizer and almost had an extended sustained pressing period until the final whistle. However, the mumbai city team maintained their shape and held firm against the final charge from Chennaiyin to capture all three points.
For the mumbai city vs chennaiyin encounter, I think it’s based on one defensive error by Chennaiyin rather than any attacking brilliance by either team.
Tactical Takeaways from Mumbai City vs Chennaiyin
The game resembled the famous saying of Johan Cruyff about “Simplicity is sometimes the hardest thing to express”; both teams were lacking composure and accuracy when they were attacking (final third).
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