ISL: Mumbai City FC 2-1 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 talking points
Mumbai City FC hosted Atletico de Kolkata in a must-win game for the home side at the D.Y Patil stadium in Mumbai. The home side needed a win to have any chance of qualifying for the semis. On the other hand, Atletico de Kolkata needed a win to seal a semis berth with a game in hand against FC Goa. The match ended 2-1 in Mumbai City's favour.Lalrindika Ralte gave the home side the lead in the 40th minute, Baljit Sahni equalized for Atletico de Kolkata in the second half, but that wasn't enough as Mumbai City's big German defender Manuel Friedrich header late in the second half sealed a win for the home side. Atletico de Kolkata have now won just one in their last nine games.Here are five talking points from the game:
#1 Mumbai City start on the offensive
Mumbai City needed a win to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the semi-finals. They started the game on the offensive. Peter Reid's men kept the ball well and dominated the first half of the game in Atletico de Kolkata's half. Mumbai City skipper Syed Rahim Nabi, who was playing at right back, looked very sharp and along with marquee signing Anelka. Mumbai City got their reward 5 minutes before half-time, when Tiago's pass from the right was converted by Lalrindika Ralte to make it 1-0 for the home side.
Atletico de Kolkata once again looked toothless, despite skipper Luis Garcia returning to the starting XI, after missing the game against Delhi Dynamos. Antonio Habas' men have struggled to keep the possession and rely on long balls.