Mumbai City secured a crucial win over a resolute but uninspiring Odisha FC. The Islanders looked by far the better team, but the Juggernauts put up a phenomenal defensive performance to keep the score down to a single goal and were only outdone by a pinpoint cross by Vikram Partap Singh finding Lallianzuala Chhangte in the area, who headed home. However, the concern for the Islanders will be player fitness, as Noufal and Jorge Ortiz had to be subbed off due to injuries.
After this result, the Islanders now remain unbeaten and 3 points clear at the top with 17 points. Odisha, on the other hand, sit ninth with 5 points. Here are three things we learnt from Mumbai City’s hard-fought victory over Odisha.
Super-sub Vikram
Vikram Partap Singh has been the one most affected by PN Noufal’s upturn in form, with him being the player dropped on the left wing to accommodate Noufal. However, Vikram’s form this season has been below-par, making the decision justifiable as well. However, off the bench, this was an exceptional performance from the Mumbai #6.
Around 50 seconds after coming on, Vikram combined with Valpuia to create a chance, and his cross to Chhangte with what was one of his first touches of the game, was perfect. Aside from the cross, he was also direct whenever he got the ball, and allowed for a fluid frontline, with the attackers on-field switching positions late on.
He was also unlucky to not score, falling victim to a close offside decision from substitute Puipuia’s cutback. However, this performance can be a huge building block for the rest of the season and make him a genuine contender to get a place in the starting eleven.
Odisha resolute but pinned back
Despite Carlos Delgado as their only foreign player, the Juggernauts put up a noteworthy defensive performance, led by Amrinder Singh in net. While there were a few hairy moments, such as a poor ball from Amrinder going straight to Ortiz, Delgado was on-hand to make a goal-line clearance. Most shots posed by the Mumbai attack were swiftly closed down and blocked by an Odisha player.
However, for all their defensive solidity, the side were unable to create a large number of chances. Odisha properly threatened Mumbai’s goal only twice. The first was Puitea sensationally dribbling through the Mumbai backline, and the second was a result of a mistake by Akash Mishra.
They were denied both times by phenomenal Phurba Lachenpa saves. Aside from those opportunities, the only time the Mumbai backline was slightly troubled were from Rahul KP long throws.
Mumbai poor from set-pieces, fail to make chances count
In the first half alone, Mumbai City got 11 corners. In the second half, another three. Aside from those, a number of free-kicks in both shooting areas, and wide areas. However, none resulted in a significant threat to goal. Despite having towering presences in the box, barely any deliveries were of note.
All the set-piece situations came as direct results of forays toward goal, and none were converted. However, for a team that has been struggling with chance creation, this is a notable improvement and step forward. The negative, though, is their profligacy in front of goal.
Had Mumbai been more clinical, and made better use of the chances they created, the game could have been over significantly earlier. The side was not able to make the decisive move through the stubborn Odisha defence, until Vikram’s decisive impact from the right flank.
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