An unintended own goal by home-state player Shubam Sarangi cost Odisha FC dear as they went down fighting to Mumbai City FC 0-2 in a tightly contested match of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai today. Bipin Singh scored the second gold for Mumbai City FC in 94th minute.

In a lacklustre first half, neither side posed a threat in the opposition penalty area. Both defences were alert to mop up the loose balls but it was the inability of players to find the decisive pass as well as the failure to apply the final touch that kept this game goalless at the midway point.

On the left flank, Bipin Singh had the Odisha FC defence worried in the opening stages of the game. In the sixth minute, a low cross from Bipin flashed across the face of goal as none of the Mumbai City attackers could tap it in. Sahil Panwar swung in a threatening ball towards the far post from a corner in the 14th minute before it was palmed away by Mumbai City FC custodian Phurba Lachenpa.

The first shot on target came seven minutes from half-time when Nandhakumar Sekar cut in from the left flank and fired a tame effort towards the goal. It was comfortably collected by the keeper. In the 44th minute, Diego Mauricio burst into life as he sprinted past two Mumbai City players before getting a shot away. The effort of the Brazilian was off target.

Five minutes into the second half, the deadlock was broken as the Islanders took the lead courtesy of an own goal. Lallianzuala Chhangte was found on the right flank by Ahmed Jahouh. Chhangte unleashed a shot on target after a quick exchange with Greg Stewart. Amrinder Singh saved the effort with his foot but the ball hit defender Shubham Sarangi and rolled into the goal.

Nearing the hour-mark, Mauricio found space in the Mumbai City FC box to get a shot away. The fierce strike was saved by Lachenpa. In the 72nd minute, Mauricio went down in the box, under pressure from Stewart. Appeals for a penalty were in vain as the referee only awarded a goal kick.

In the 82nd minute, Amrinder denied Stewart with an outstanding save. The Scottish striker received the ball from the left flank and struck a low shot at goal. But the quick reflexes of Amrinder were enough to keep the ball out.

In the last action of the game, Mumbai City FC probed forward towards a scattered Odisha defence. Stewart unselfishly passed the ball to Bipin who smashed the ball past Amrinder to score his 15th league goal for the club with the last kick of the game.
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PHOTO: Odisha FC stricker Diego Mauricio (Right) in action against Mumbai City FC during there ISL match in Mumbai on 15 October 2022.