Mumbai City secured a comfortable 2-0 win against FC Goa in the second leg of the Hero ISL Semi-Final. The Islanders’ brilliance over the two legs helped them secure a 5-2 win on aggregate over the Gaurs. Goa never looked to pose any threat to Mumbai as they failed to create any meaningful chances throughout the game.
The Islanders were defensively resolute in the first half. Although Goa had the lion share of the possession in the first forty-five minutes, Mumbai City showed their defensive brilliance to keep their advantage intact. The first goal came in the 69th minute as a corner from Mumbai led to chaos inside the box, which Jorge Pereyra Diaz took advantage of and helped the home team take the lead.
Having secured a two-goal advantage, Mumbai City was one step closer to the Final. However, they continued making chances and this paid off as Lallianzuala Chhangte completed a stellar run to calmly put the ball in the back of the net to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead in the game and a 5-2 advantage in the Semi-Final.
Mumbai City will now face Mohun Bagan in the Final
Mumbai City’s brilliant performance in the Semi-Final has set up a Final encounter against a familiar opponent. They will be up against the mighty Mohun Bagan SG who secured a place by beating Odisha FC in the Semi-Final. The Kolkata club were 2-1 down after the first leg and needed a big performance in the second leg to make it to the Final.
Odisha’s defence was terrific, but Antonio Habas’ men were determined to book a place in their second consecutive Final. They first scored in the 22nd minute through Jason Cummings and then it was Sahal Abdul Samad who scored a goal in the 93rd minute to give Mohun Bagan a 4-3 win on aggregate.
Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan recently faced off on the final day of the ISL League stage. The team from Kolkata needed a win to clinch the ISL Shield, while the Islanders would have won it even with a draw. However, Mohun Bagan prevailed on that night courtesy of two brilliant goals from Liston Colaco and Jason Cummings.
Both these sides have a huge history and it will be interesting to see who prevails and wins the prestigious ISL Cup this season. Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan last faced off in the ISL Final during the 2020-21 season. It was the Islanders that reigned supreme on that occasion as they secured a 2-1 win to become the first team to win the ISL Shield and the ISL Cup in the same season. Mohun Bagan has the chance to do the double on this occasion, but they will have to get the better of a Mumbai team that has looked solid throughout the year.
