Forlan assist helps Mumbai City edge Pune 1-0 in Maha derby

Mumbai City FC's marquee signing Diego Forlan showed glimpses of yore as they tasted a rare away win after putting it across FC Pune City 1-0 in their opening match of the Hero Indian Super League at Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Monday.

Matias Defederico's goal in the 69th minute off a Forlan flick was the difference between the two sides in an engrossing Maharashtra derby that saw Pune take control early in the game and Mumbai have the last laugh in the second session.

The teams showed plenty of promise at the start and went on the attacking right from the outset. It were the hosts, however, who enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and had clearer chances in the first 45 minutes.

PuneCity had the first look at the rival goal early in the game when a mistimed free-kick saw the ball fall nicely at the feet of Jonatan Lucca but the Italian midfielder's left-footer lacked the zing to trouble Mumbai goalkeeper Roberto Neto.

Lucca turned provider for Pune in the 10th minute when his cross at the far post saw Izumi Arata rise high to head the ball but under pressure from Mumbai defender Aibor Khongjee, the former international could not beat Roberto under the Mumbai bar.

MumbaiCity played second fiddle for most of the first quarter and had to wait till the 23rd minute to test goalkeeper Edel Bete. It was defensive midfielder Pronay Halder who did that with a half-volley from just outside the box but Bete was well-positioned to collect the ball safely.

All eyes prior to the start of this clash were focused on former Uruguayan captain and marquee player Diego Forlan.

The 2010 World Cup golden ball winner had little to contribute in the first session, although he showed glimpses of the touches that has made him such a renowned striker.

One such touch in the 45th minute saw him find Leo Costa inside the goalmouth but Pune defender Gouramangi Singh made a timely tackle to deflect the shot for an abortive corner-kick.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 69th minute and it was Forlan's magical touch that made it happen.

Aibor's cross from the right saw Forlan flick the ball towards Defederico, and even before anyone could realise what had happened, the Argentine controlled the ball and fired in a low shot which sailed into the net.

Pune had a chance to draw level in the 73rd minute when Lucca intercepted a pass and found Jesus Tato but the Spanish forward could not beat the goalkeeper at the first post.