Taisuke Matsugae shines in Mumbai’s first win

Skipper Taisuke Matsugae stepped up to make things happen for Mumbai FC in their I-League third round clash at the Cooperage here on Sunday. The Japanese midfielder scored Mumbai FC’s first goal of the season and later assisted Sushil Kumar Singh to lead his side to 2-1 win over Salgaocar SC. This was the season’s first win for Mumbai FC and they have now five points from three games. Jakichand Singh reduced the margin in the 66th minute.

The teams, in hunt for their first win, had a cautious start. The home side had the first sniff in the 20th minute when Arata Izumi’s deflection on a ground cross from left got a deflection from a defender. On the ensuing corner kick from Jayesh Rane, the header from Pratik Chowdhary was just over.

Salgaocar striker Darryl Duffy tried various tricks but it was Taisuke who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute from a long range strike, catching goalkeeper Karanjit Singh by surprise.

It followed with an altercation between Duffy and Taisuke resulting in a booking for the former.

In the second half, Taisuke played smartly bringing Karanjit out after a cross from Eric Brown and cut it back to Sushil Kumar, who slotted the ball home in the 48th minute. The hosts had a few more chances, which they failed to capitalise on. Jakichand pulled one back with a curling cross that caught Pawan completely off guard.

With 22 minutes left, the Goan side upped the ante but their poor finish cost them. It was third defeat on trot for the Goan side.

High on confidence after notching up their maiden I-League win in the previous match, debutants Aizawl FC take on Sporting Clube de Goa in their fourth game of the season in Aizwal on Monday.