<p> Mumbai Tigers carved out a routine 2-0 win over Hindustan FC to take a huge step towards advancing to the final phase of the I-League Second Division competition here on Monday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Mohammed Rafi M and Paresh Shivalkar struck in a five-minute second-half spell as the Tigers regained pole position with a game to play at the Bangalore Football Stadium.<br />With 16 points from six games, the Tigers just need a point from their final game against Kolkata side Southern Samity (14 from six games) on Wednesday -- the final day of Group C competition here. Vasco SC, who are on 13 points, take on Luangmual Football Club on Tuesday and the Goans need a victory to stay alive in the competition. Their fate will then depend upon the result of the clash between Samity and Tigers.<br /><br />Despite starting favourites, the Tigers looked completely out of sorts in the opening half against Hindustan, who just didn’t allow them to settle down. <br /><br />Long-rangers <br /><br />Finding it extremely difficult to penetrate the Hindustan midfield, the Tigers just kept littering the pitch with loose passes, occasionally resorting to long-rangers that hardly threatened the goal.<br /><br />However, post the break, the Tigers seemed to have found their range as they attacked with a lot more intent and purpose, hardly allowing Hindustan a foothold in the contest. They passed better and kept threatening the Hindustan citadel before breaking free in the 58th minute.<br /><br />Playmaker Bikash Jairu dribbled down the left flank and relayed a well-weighted cross into the box which an unmarked Rafi side-footed in composed fashion for the opening goal.<br /><br />The goal appeared to have sparked a new life into the Tigers as they upped the ante and doubled the lead five minutes later in a scrappy fashion. <br /><br />Rafi smacked a loose ball from a goal-mouth melee goalwards and an alert Paresh Shivalkar, who was just off the line, deflected it home as the Tigers took a firm step towards victory.<br /><br />With an eye on Wednesday’s game against Samity, the Tigers then eased their foot off the pedal, playing well within themselves. <br /><br />Hindustan, who are out of the competition, too showing no inclination towards making a match out of it, the Tigers just played for time before wrapping up victory in comfortable fashion.<br /><br />Tuesday’s matches: Kalighta Milan Sangha vs South United FC (1.30 pm); Luangmual FC vs Vasco SC (4.00 pm).</p>
<p> Mumbai Tigers carved out a routine 2-0 win over Hindustan FC to take a huge step towards advancing to the final phase of the I-League Second Division competition here on Monday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Mohammed Rafi M and Paresh Shivalkar struck in a five-minute second-half spell as the Tigers regained pole position with a game to play at the Bangalore Football Stadium.<br />With 16 points from six games, the Tigers just need a point from their final game against Kolkata side Southern Samity (14 from six games) on Wednesday -- the final day of Group C competition here. Vasco SC, who are on 13 points, take on Luangmual Football Club on Tuesday and the Goans need a victory to stay alive in the competition. Their fate will then depend upon the result of the clash between Samity and Tigers.<br /><br />Despite starting favourites, the Tigers looked completely out of sorts in the opening half against Hindustan, who just didn’t allow them to settle down. <br /><br />Long-rangers <br /><br />Finding it extremely difficult to penetrate the Hindustan midfield, the Tigers just kept littering the pitch with loose passes, occasionally resorting to long-rangers that hardly threatened the goal.<br /><br />However, post the break, the Tigers seemed to have found their range as they attacked with a lot more intent and purpose, hardly allowing Hindustan a foothold in the contest. They passed better and kept threatening the Hindustan citadel before breaking free in the 58th minute.<br /><br />Playmaker Bikash Jairu dribbled down the left flank and relayed a well-weighted cross into the box which an unmarked Rafi side-footed in composed fashion for the opening goal.<br /><br />The goal appeared to have sparked a new life into the Tigers as they upped the ante and doubled the lead five minutes later in a scrappy fashion. <br /><br />Rafi smacked a loose ball from a goal-mouth melee goalwards and an alert Paresh Shivalkar, who was just off the line, deflected it home as the Tigers took a firm step towards victory.<br /><br />With an eye on Wednesday’s game against Samity, the Tigers then eased their foot off the pedal, playing well within themselves. <br /><br />Hindustan, who are out of the competition, too showing no inclination towards making a match out of it, the Tigers just played for time before wrapping up victory in comfortable fashion.<br /><br />Tuesday’s matches: Kalighta Milan Sangha vs South United FC (1.30 pm); Luangmual FC vs Vasco SC (4.00 pm).</p>
