Mumbai City hands Odisha 4-1 drubbing to extend unbeaten streak
Defending champions Mumbai City ventured into the top four after a long while as they handed Odisha a 4-1 drubbing in ‘Match 90’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season. Bipin Singh and Igor Angulo scored a brace each for the Islanders while Jonathas scored the consolation goal for the Kalinga Warriors in the 90th minute.
Mumbai City head coach fielded the same starting XI that helped the Islanders end their winless streak with a 1-0 over Chennaiyin.
On the other hand, Odisha head coach Kino Garcia made three changes to his team by reinstating Hector Rodas in Gaurav Bora’s place in central defense. To balance the overseas count, Aridai Cabrera was sacrificed for Nandhakumar Sekar while Thoiba Singh was also handed a start after returning from the one-game suspension with Paul Ramfangzuava dropping to the bench.
The game had a pretty sedate start and it took 16 minutes for the first major opening to arrive. A callous error from Apuia gave Javi Hernandez a chance to go for glory but his effort narrowly missed the target.
The Islanders got their first opportunity five minutes later when Lallianzuala Chhangte put in a dangerous cross from the left flank. The initial delivery was cleared but the rebound fell to Ahmed Jahouh whose effort missed the target.
Odisha came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Jerry Mawihmingthanga tried his luck after receiving a pass from Hernandez. While his effort deserves praise, Mumbai City goalkeeper Mohamad Nawaz came up with an even better save to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
It turned out to be a game-changing moment, as Buckingham’s team opened the scoring only eight minutes later. Rahul Bheke delivered a perfectly-weighted ball from the right flank that found Angulo in space and the Spanish striker made no mistake in keeping his header on target.
The Islanders started the second half exactly from where they left the first, as it took them only two minutes to double their lead. Jahouh won possession at the edge of the box and played a good ball forwards for Bipin, who outfoxed the Odisha goal Arshdeep Singh by slotting the ball into the near post when it seemed that he will go for the far post.
Garcia tried to freshen things up by introducing Cabrera and Bora but his tricks did not work as Mumbai City scored their third goal of the night in the 70th minute.
After receiving a pass from Cassinho, Bipin played an accurate through ball for Angulo, but it was only half the work done. The former Athletic Bilbao striker then came up with a cheeky finish to find the bottom corner leaving Arshdeep stranded in the Odisha goal.
Bipin Singh had an excellent second half
With one came another as Buckingham’s men netted their fourth goal only three minutes later when Cassinho made a darting run down the left flank and got the better of his marker with ease before playing a ball into the middle. The Brazilian playmaker’s delivery was intercepted but the rebound fell kindly for Bipin, who found the back of the net for the second time on the night.
The Kalinga Warriors eventually got a goal back in the 90th minute, but unfortunately, they were a day late and a dollar short. With nothing going in favor of Odisha, Jonathas took the onus on his shoulders and attempted a long-ranger that nestled into the back of the net.
Mumbai City has climbed to fourth place in the standings with this win and will now take on Jamshedpur on Thursday whilst the seventh-placed Odisha will be up against Chennaiyin on Wednesday.