Thaindian News

Pune, Jan 28 (IANS) Mumbai FC’s five-match unbeaten run in the I-League came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Air India in the 17th round of I-League football at the Balewadi Sports Complex Ground here Saturday.

Sandesh Gadkari struck the only goal of the airlines team in the fifth minute. Air India were the better side creating chances upfront with Henry Ezeh and Gadkari keeping the pressure on Mumbai FC defence.

Air India took an early lead when Gadkari got a clearance in the right wing and moved up. He rushed right into the top of the box catching the Mumbai FC defence manned by Nicholas Rodrigues and captain Abhishek Yadav, unawares.

Gadkari fired a left-footer from around 45 degrees and the ball hit the netting and went out. For some time Mumbai FC defence kept wondering whether the ball actually went in, but the referee rightly signalled the goal.

With three full points, Air India raised their points tally to 24 while Mumbai FC stay on 14 points.

Mumbai FC had themselves to blame. Their striker Sukore tried his level-best to break into Air India forte but didn’t get much support as Gbeneme Friday had an off-day

In the second-half, Mumbai FC looked fatigued and clueless resorting to rough play. Three yellow cards came in for Air India too - Takayuki Omi, Pratik Chaudhary and Henry - will all sit out in the next match following double bookings.

Mumbai FC got one good chance in the 74th minute when Sukore cut through the Air India defence and entered the box but he delayed taking the final shot and lost out.

In the injury-time, an unmarked Air India striker Manandeep Singh wsted, perhaps the easiest chance of the match when he muffed from less than 10 yards. Air India’s Lamine Tamba was declared the Man-of-the-Match.