Kolkata, Sep 30 (IANS) Debutants Mumbai FC yet again gave warning signals to their rivals with a stunning 1-0 win over city giants East Bengal in an I-League encounter here Tuesday.
Three days after conquering the other famed Kolkata side Mohun Bagan, the Mumbai outfit rode on a 22nd minute strike by Felix Aboagye to take their points tally to six from two games.
The Salt Lake stadium tie saw East Bengal paying the penalty for missing chances galore, despite maintaining a stranglehold for most part of the 90 minutes.
Having won their first game opposite local rivals Chirag United, the red and yellow brigade are now on three points after two ties.
The all-important goal came from a counter-attack after a failed East Bengal move.
The three time winners nearly scored as Sunil Chettri's header off a Renedy Singh corner was saved from the goalline by Subhas Chakraborty, and Brazilian Edmilson Marques's rebound deflected by visiting custodian Kalyan Choubey.
The ball then traveled to East Bengal's Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who only succeeded in blowing it over.
The action then shifted to the other end, as a Riston Fernandes free kick to the left hand side of the opponent box, found two defenders Suley Musah and Khelemba Singh getting entangled in a misunderstanding.
Felix, who was lurking nearby, pushed in on the half-turn, much to the dismay of East Bengal supporters at the stadium.
Up by the goal, the visitors went into a defensive formation, as East Bengal dictated terms for the rest of the match.
Mumbai FC deserved accolades for their fine defending, with Anas Edathodika, James Dissiramah and Selwyn Fernandes effecting timely clearances to deny the equalizer to their famed rivals.
The Mumbaikars also got a couple of chances in the later half. Felix's measured cross in the 73rd minute saw striker Abel Hammond go for a header, that missed the target by inches. Soon after, Abel Hammond got an opportunity but East Bengal custodian Subrata Paul rose to the occasion this time.
East Bengal, on the other side, squandered a sitter in the 73rd minute, when Asim Biswas set up Nabi, but the later shot straight to Choubey.
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