ISL: Mumbai City edge ATK 2-1 to stay alive in the race

Kolkata, February 18: Mumbai City FC registered a 2-1 win over ATK in the Indian Super League clash at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Sunday to stay in the hunt for a place in the playoffs. Alexandre Guimarães side needed all three points from the game and his side came up with the goods. While the win didn't help Mumbai City FC improve their position in the league table but it kept their hopes alive.

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The Islanders now have 20 points from 15 games, and still, have a chance of making it into the top four.

Textbook header into the far post by @RafaJorda!
#LetsFootball #KOLMUM https://t.co/DejcgQpz1T pic.twitter.com/LINJ17OCYC

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 18, 2018

After a sluggish start to the game, Marcio Rozario brought the game to life with a spectacular freekick goal at the half-hour mark to give Mumbai City FC the lead. Bipin Singh then equalised for Ashley Westwood's side early in the second half but the visitors regained their lead minutes later through Rafa Jorda.

Mohammad Rafi draws Chennaiyin FC level

ATK dominated the early exchanges in the game but Anwar Ali's needless push on Rafa Jordan on the edge of his own box provided Rozario the opportunity to have a strike on goal, and he punished ATK for it. The midfielder curled the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal despite goalkeeper Soram Poirie's best efforts.

The visitors defended their lead well till the halftime but after the restart, it didn't take ATK much time to get back into the game. Just two minutes into the second phase of play, Bipin Singh leveled the scoreline for the home side. The goal came after a spell of good play by ATK in the opposition half. Conor Thomas, who up till then had a quiet night picked up Singh with a delightful defense-splitting pass and he put the ball through MCFC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh's legs and into the goal.

Marcio Rozario produced an absolute cracker of a free-kick for @MumbaiCityFC! He is the Hero of the Match!#HeroISL #LetsFootball #KOLMUM pic.twitter.com/31QeL0BwBl

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 18, 2018

It looked Mumbai City FC will have to go away disappointed from Kolkata but just barely minutes after having conceded, Mumbai City was celebrating at the other end. In the 52nd minute, a corner from the left was partially cleared by ATK defense. Sanju Pradhan put the ball back into the danger area and Rafa Jorda was on hand for Mumbai City FC to glance the ball into far corner of the goal.

Then in the added time, Ryan Taylor almost broke Mumbai City FC hearts with a free-kick that came back off the bar.

Source: ISL Media