The Blasters could have added to the score but managed to keep a clean sheet to inflict just the second defeat of the season on the Islanders.
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Kerala Blasters FC produced a stunning 3-0 victory against high-flying Mumbai City FC to register their second win of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season. Notably, centre-back Mourtada Fall was sent off for the Islanders at the start of the second half at the PJN stadium in Margao, Goa on Sunday. Sahal (27’) opened the scoring for the Blasters in the first half. Alvaro Vazquez (47’) then doubled the lead just after the restart. Soon after, Mumbai City FC went down to ten men when Fall saw red (50’). Pereyra Diaz then converted from the spot to make it 3-0. The Blasters could have added to the score but managed to keep a clean sheet to inflict just the second defeat of the season on the Islanders.
Earlier, table toppers Mumbai City FC started on the front foot and had a great chance to take the lead in the 5th minute when Igor Angulo’s header from a Mandar Rao Dessai cross turned out to be a tame one, allowing Prabhsukhan Gill to make an easy save. Six minutes later, Vazquez tried his luck from distance to catch Mohammad Nawaz off his line but the Mumbai City FC custodian recovered in time to push it away. The Blasters disrupted Mumbai City FC’s passing rhythm with incessant pressing, as they forced mistakes from the defending champions.
Ivan Vukomanovic’s side then managed to make one of their chances count in the 27th minute when Jorge Diaz, who got behind the Mumbai City FC defence, found Sahal with a cross. The Kerala Blasters FC youngster volleyed the cross past Nawaz in a scintillating fashion to give the Blasters the lead.
Mumbai City FC then did their best to produce a sustained spell of pressure but the Blasters were able to thwart their efforts. Lalengmawia had a chance to equalise in the 39th minute but unlike Sahal at the other end, he skied his volley.
The Islanders understandably became frustrated as the half went on as the Blasters were able to preserve their lead going into half-time. At the start of the second period, things went from bad to worse to the leaders. Ivan Vukomanovic’s side made a dream start when Vazquez doubled their advantage with a delightful finish two minutes after the restart.
Mumbai City FC’s misery only kept growing, as they invited more trouble when Fall fouled a Blasters player inside the box to concede a penalty, and also collected a second yellow card. Pereyra struck his spot kick past Nawaz in the 51st minute to put the Blasters 3-0 up to be totally in charge of the match against the ten men of Mumbai City FC.
Des Buckingham responded with a double substitution bringing in Ygor Catatau and Hmingthanmawia and the Islanders regained their composure. Bipin Singh then missed a big chance to get his team on the scoresheet. Four minutes later, Mumbai City FC had another chance to score when Mehtab Singh rose the highest in the box but couldn’t keep his header on target.
The Blasters then brought on fresh legs and were able to close out a crucial victory that took them to the fifth spot in the table. Mumbai City FC remained four points clear at the top despite the defeat. The Islanders’ next match is against NorthEast United on December 27 while Kerala Blasters FC are back in action on Wednesday when they face Chennaiyin FC in the southern derby.
