Defending champions Mumbai City FC booked their spot in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs after a convincing 2-0 victory over Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday. The win helped Mumbai finish with 36 points, edging past Odisha FC (33 points) to secure the final playoff berth.
Strong First-Half Performance Seals the Win
Mumbai City FC took control early in the match with Lallianzuala Chhangte opening the scoring in the 8th minute. Chhangte capitalized on a defensive lapse by Aleksandar Jovanovic, finding the net from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
The lead doubled in the 37th minute when Nikolaos Karelis converted a penalty after Jovanovic fouled him inside the box. Karelis calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, giving Mumbai a comfortable lead before halftime.
Bengaluru’s Struggles in Attack
Bengaluru FC, which had already secured third place regardless of the outcome, struggled to create meaningful chances. Captain Sunil Chhetri came close in the first half with a header that narrowly missed Edgar Mendez. Mendez also failed to capitalize on a well-delivered aerial ball from Ryan Williams, miscontrolling it at the far post.
In the second half, Bengaluru’s attacking issues persisted. Mendez had a chance to reduce the deficit, but his shot went wide while trying to beat goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa. Mumbai maintained defensive solidity and continued to dominate possession.
Missed Chances but a Comfortable Finish
Mumbai nearly extended the lead in the 78th minute when Vikram Pratap Singh’s powerful strike from long range was tipped onto the crossbar by Bengaluru’s goalkeeper Sahil. Despite the missed opportunity, Mumbai had already secured the win with a composed performance.
Next Challenge for Mumbai
Mumbai City FC will now face Bengaluru FC again in the single-legged playoff match later this month. Bengaluru will need to improve significantly after a lackluster display on Tuesday, where key players like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Chinglensana Singh, and Alberto Noguera were absent from the starting lineup.
