Mumbai City FC made a winning start to this edition of the Indian Super League with 1-0 narrow win over FC Pune City in a pulsating Maharashtra derby clash here on Monday.
Argentinian midfielder Matias Defederico scored the winner in the second half after a masterful assist from Uruguayan skipper Diego Forlan.
Pune City despite their marquee player Mohamed Sissoko — a former Liverpool and Juventus star — and coach Antonio Habas watching from the stands, pushed the visitors on the back foot but failed to take advantage of their initial domination.
Sissoko, who was signed as new marquee player after Eidur Gudjohnsen was ruled out for the season due to injury along with midfielder Andre Bikey, joined the Pune City squad only on Saturday and had a first training session on Sunday.
Fifteen minutes into the game, the home side had a first sniff when a 25-yard free kick was blocked by the wall and the ball bounced to Jonatan Lucca in a dangerous position but his try at goal brought a diving save from goalkeeper Roberto Volpato.
Winger Arata Izumi who has played long for disbanded I-League club Pune FC displayed silken skills in the 37th minute and pushed forward a smart pass for Argentinian forward Gustavo Oberman who was clear but ended up just kicking it straight to the advancing Volpato.
Krisztian Vadocz’s finish towards end of the first half was blocked well by experienced defender Gouramangi Singh after Forlan had sent in a ground cross from the right to catch him free.
Mumbai City made a better start to the second half and starting making regular forays. Their persistence was rewarded when Defederico opened their account with a well thought goal in the 69th minute. Golden boot winner in the 2010 Fifa World Cup Forlan showed his class with a neat side assist for Defederico on a volleyed cross from Rahul Beke to catch Pune City goalkeeper Edel Bete unawares.
Bete had his eyes glued on Forlan for the finish but instead it went to Defederico with the faintest of touches and the Argentinian slotted it into the far corner with a powerful left footer.
Spanish forward Jesus Rodriguez Tato had an opportunity to equalise minutes later as he went free from the right side but Volpato smartly covered the narrow angle from close range.
Rodriguez had another opportunity to salvage a point after he found space in the center of penalty area in the 80th minute but failed to beat Volpato who used his height to palm the ball over.
Forlan played for 84 minutes before being replaced by Boithang Haokip and the visitors held on to the lead to carry full three points from their opening game.
