JOIN USSukore strikes as HASC crash to first loss
Ebi Sukore came up with the all-important goal in the 64th minute for the side from Maharashtra, leaving them third in the standings with nine points from three matches. HASC lie in fourth, three points behind Mumbai.
In a sedate first half, both teams failed to create much chances as the game petered out into a battle in midfield. Neither team created any clear-cut opportunites with both the teams going into the break goalless.
The second half was a much more lively affair, as HASC and Mumbai took a more attacking approach, immediately leading to a brighter more open match.
The lone goal came through an attack from Mumbai FC’s left flank with Nigerian striker, Sukore latching onto Nicolas Rodrigues’s pass to score the winner.
HASC had a few opportunities to restore parity, but Mumbai held on for the win and with it three points.
“I am happy with today’s result and we are in a good position now. In the second half, I changed the tactics and it helped us to dominate the match completely,” said Mumbai coach, Subrata Bhattacharya.
“Not just during the goal, but there were two or three times we opened them up from the left wing. These three points are very crucial for us. If we keep this momentum going, we can finish really well,’’ he added.
Rozario steps down
Faced with intense pressure from supporters and officials alike, beleaguered Mohun Bagan coach Stanly Rozario stepped down from the hotseat for “greater interest of the club”.
“Since Mohun Bagan is a formidable club and top contenders in Indian football, I want the team to bounce back and bring back the winning attitude,” Rozario wrote in his resignation letter.
“So at this point of time in the greater interest of the club and the team, I will like to step down from my job as chief coach.” With two consecutive defeats and a draw in the ongoing I-League, Mohun Bagan’s campaign has got off to a jittery start.
Conceding that Mohun Bagan are going through a crisis, club general secretary Anjan Mitra said from Goa: “We are going through a problem at the moment. But we will not die — this is not the end. Being one of the top clubs in India, we will tackle the situation bravely and bounce back.” There is a strong rumour that Mohun Bagan are in talks with Belgian coach Phillippe de Ridder who is expected to be in the city next week.