Both FC Goa and Mumbai City FC came into the match on the back of disappointing results from their opening matches and it was the home side FC Goa who took the game to the Islanders from the word go. The Gaurs were dominant in possession and largely controlled the pace of the game against a disjointed looking Mumbai City side.
The two teams played out an entertaining early exchange but failed to get any clear sights of goal. The real opening for Mumbai City came when Redeem Tlang was given the marching in the 40th minute for a high studs up challenge on Santana. The numerical disadvantage looked to change the
complexion of the game but the home side didn’t seem to be deterred by being a man down and continued to dominate proceedings in the first half which ended goalless.
FC Goa showed no signs of letting up in the second half either and looked much sharper of the two teams. The home side would have gone ahead in the 55 minute had it not been for a wonderful save from Amrinder Singh to deny FC Goa’s Edu Bedia. The Islanders skipper and custodian was on hand again seconds later to pull off another stunning save and denying Ivan Gonzalez a fine half volley goal.
Sergio Lobera threw the kitchen sink at FC Goa as the numerical disadvantage started to wear on FC Goa. In spite of that, Goa defended spiritedly and the game looked set to end in a stalemate until the third minute of additional time. Conjuring one last attempt at goal, the Islanders’ Japanese winger CY Goddard put in a cross from the byline and found Bipin Singh unmarked at the far post with the winger’s header hitting Lenny Rodrigues’ flailing arms. The referee pointed to the spot and Mumbai’s new striker Adam Le Fondre stepped up before drilling home a powerful penalty to steal all three points right at the dead for the Islanders.