Mumbai City FC defeated Odisha FC 2-0 on their Mumbai Football Arena debut in over three years to start the 2022-23 ISL season. Mumbai City FC’s front row of Stewart, Chhangte and Bipin won the game with two goals.
Manager Des Buckingham changed the starting eleven after drawing Hyderabad FC. Mehtab Singh, the central partner of Rostyn Griffiths, replaced Fall in goal. Mandar Rao Dessai was flanked by Rahul Bheke and Sanjeev Stalin. The energetic and innovative duo from Apuia Ralte played against Odisha FC. He made his 50th appearance for the Islanders. Lallianzuala Chhangte and Bipin Singh defended Greg Stewart’s wings.
Fans attended an Indian Super League match in Mumbai for the first time in two years, and the stadium was packed with people before the match started. The islanders threw themselves at the side of Josep Gombau. Both clubs, who have a similar mentality, fought for control of the ball from the start.
The Islanders scored in the sixth minute. Noguera passed Bipin on the left wing. The early threat posed by Mumbai City FC was eliminated when Bipin’s low cross was cleared into the box.
ISL 2022-23: Midfield battle started at 0-0
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Odisha FC’s Sarangi winger ran forward in the 12th minute and blocked his long-range shot. The midfield battle started at 0-0. Although the game was close, Odisha FC began to put pressure on the Islanders in the first half. The dynamic wingers from both teams looked dangerous as they carried the ball forward.
Phurba Lachenpa comfortably blocked Nandha Kumar’s low shot in the 38th minute. At 0-0, the game was turning into a tactical stalemate. The Odisha FC defenders chased Greg Stewart, denying him any room to breathe, especially as he crouched low to receive the ball. This limited the effect of it.
Mumbai City FC’s defense broke down in the 44th minute. His powerful shot almost hit the side of the net. The Kalinga Warriors dominated possession and looked more dangerous in the attacking third than the Islanders.
Both teams were eager for a goal when the referee whistled for the end of the first half. Half time was goalless. Jahouh’s assist to Bipin in the 48th minute sparked the Islanders’ second-half rally. Bipin sent another low ball into the area, but Chhangte’s shot went over the crossbar.
After half time, the Mumbai City FC players passed with vigor and precision.
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In the 50th minute, Chhangte ran through the Odisha FC defense and played a brace with Noguera. Chhangte sent the ball to the Spaniard, who got past an Odisha FC defender and shot at Amrinder. The goalkeeper saved a shot, but it bounced off Sarangi and into the net as an own goal. Mumbai City FC won 1-0 in front of their rowdy fans.
Odisha FC rushed the players forward after the restart to score the equalizer, allowing Greg Stewart to show off his skills. Odisha FC missed the next opportunity. Phurba Lachenpa saved Mauricio’s shot in the 58th minute from Odisha FC inside the Islanders box. Des Buckingham changed plans in the 67th minute. Ahmed Jahouh and Apuia Ralte were replaced by Vinit Rai and Pereyra Diaz.
Odisha FC later replaced Osama and Jerry with Pedro Martin and Narender. Substitutes from Odisha FC changed the game. Saul avoided the Odisha FC defense in the box and found Thoiba Singh, whose shot missed. Mumbai City FC’s defense remained immaculate at 1-0.
Saul and Nandha were replaced by Victor and Isak.
Saul and Nandha were replaced by Victor and Isak in the 78th minute. Manager Buckingham substituted Vignesh for Sanjeev and Vikram for Chhangte in the 79th minute.
Vikram and Vignesh’s combo in the 82nd minute gave the Islanders a chance. Vignesh centered Vikram outside the box with pinpoint accuracy. Amrinder stopped Vikram’s low shot to retain the score at 1-0. The Islanders were preventing Odisha FC from scoring.
Bipin increased Mumbai City FC’s lead in the last minute of extra time. Greg Stewart executed a spectacular counterattack after finding Bipin unmarked.
Bipin scored to put the Islanders up 2-0. Bipin became Mumbai City FC’s all-time leading goalscorer with 16 goals. Mumbai City FC beat Odisha FC 2-0 in the final minutes to win their 2022-23 ISL opener. In two weeks, the Islanders will play Jamshedpur FC in Mumbai.
