I-League 2017: Aizawl FC 2-0 Mumbai FC - Kamo Bayi brace piles further misery on Santosh Kashyap

Manasi Pathak

I-League 2017: Aizawl FC 2-0 Mumbai FC - Kamo Bayi brace piles further misery on Santosh Kashyap image

Hosts Aizawl FC got the better of Mumbai FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Mizoram in round 12 of the I-League, courtesy goals from Kamo Bayi in the 65th and 78th minute.

Khalid Jamil continued with the winning combination from the 1-0 win against Chennai City FC. As for the visiting side, Santosh Kashyap headed into the fixture with the aim of pulling off a draw as he named six defenders in the side to face The People’s Club .

Aizawl started testing The Mumbaikars ’ defence from the very beginning as Danmawia created a chance from the right. The Mizo medio’s first touch was however below par, leading to the shot not troubling Mumbai ‘keeper Kattimani.

In the 7th minute, Liberian Alfred Jaryan weaved past Mumbai’s defenders to send in a low shot. But the effort missed the mark by a few inches.

RE-LIVE THE ACTION: Aizawl FC 2-0 Mumbai FC

Aizawl FC Mumbai FC I-League 2017

Soon, Mumbai came up with an answer to the hosts’ moves. In the 16th minute, Manipur-born Thoi Singh put in a cross from the right flank. U-22 lad Clyde Fernandes connected well to Thoi’s delivery but his header was safely collected by a diving Albino Gomes.

Former Mumbai FC player Jayesh Rane was in commendable form against his former team and was heavily involved in the build-up play for Aizawl. In the 23rd minute, Rane turned and beat Mumbai’s right back Reagan Singh and crossed from the left but Danmawia was unable to get the telling touch.

Three minutes later, gaffer Kashyap brought in new signing Baljit Sahni who replaced youngster Clyde Fernandes on the left flank.

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Around the half hour mark, the hosts bottled a great chance. Danmawia received the ball on the right and keeper Kattimani was completely out of position. The Mizo midfielder teed it up for Al Amna but the Syrian midfielder tried a frist-time finish which went wide. 

The two teams walked off the pitch at the half time whistle with no goals registered on the score-sheet.

The second half saw Aizawl create an early chance when defender Ashutosh Mehta crossed from the right. Aizawl FC's right back Chullova met it with his left foot but the ball sailed over the bar.

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Kamo Bayi Aizawl FC Mumbai FC I-League 2017

Just four minutes later, Kingsley’s attempt hit the cross bar. He passed the ball to Amna with the Syrian falling to control the ball. It rolled instead to Kamo who laid it off for Kingsley.  The Ivorian defender's shot unfortunately hit the crossbar.

But the dead lock was finally broken post the hour mark. In the 65th minute, Brandon delivered a cross from the left and Kamo made space for himself and powerfully volleyed it into the net.

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Aizawl FC Mumbai FC I-League 2017

Within just 13 minutes, Bayi added another goal to his name. The 20-year-old forward flicked home a pass from Al Amna which came from outside the box, stealing the limelight with his sublime show on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors had no answer to Aizawl’s excellence as the home team held on with ease. The defeat means Mumbai are now winless in ten games whereas Aizawl maintain their unbeaten record on home soil this season.

 

Manasi Pathak