Kolkata, March 15 Mumbai City FC successfully defended against a spirited Inter Kashi comeback to secure a 2-1 victory in their Indian Super League match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan here on Sunday.
The Islanders recorded their third win of the campaign, moving up to third in the standings with 11 points, while Inter Kashi remained eighth with five points. Mumbai City FC's captain, Lallianzuala Chhangte, was named the Player of the Match.
Mumbai City FC scored through Noufal PN (45th+6) and Lallianzuala Chhangte (52nd), while Rohit Danu (51st) scored the lone goal for Inter Kashi FC.
Mumbai dominated possession in the early stages, putting sustained pressure on the hosts.
Left winger Ayush Chhikara produced the first attempt in the fourth minute, but his close-range shot was comfortably saved by Inter Kashi goalkeeper Lluis Tarrés. Chhikara came close again in the 18th minute when he narrowly missed the target with a right-footed shot after being set up by Chhangte.
Ortíz also attempted a shot from distance in the 20th minute but missed the target.
Inter Kashi struggled to create clear opportunities early on, although Sumeet Passi attempted a shot from outside the box in the 22nd minute that was blocked by Mumbai's defence.
Despite Mumbai's dominance in possession, Inter Kashi remained organised in defense and looked to threaten on the counter. Llamas forced a save from Lachenpa in the 42nd minute with a shot from the right.
The breakthrough came deep into the first half stoppage time. From a corner delivered by Chhangte, midfielder Noufal PN slotted the ball into the net, giving Mumbai City FC the lead at halftime.
Inter Kashi began the second half with renewed intent and soon equalized. In the 51st minute, Sandip Mandi delivered a perfect cross from the left flank, which Rohit Danu met with a close-range header to level the scores at 1-1.
Just a minute later, Ortíz threaded a through ball from the left flank into the penalty area, which found Chhangte, who calmly finished with his left foot to restore Mumbai's lead in the 52nd minute.
The match then opened up as both sides pushed forward in search of further goals. Petkevičius tested Lachenpa with a close-range effort before Danu attempted a long-range strike that forced another save from the Mumbai goalkeeper. Noufal also threatened at the other end but saw his shot denied by Tarrés.