ISL: Mumbai City inflict first defeat on Hyderabad

Dakshinamurthy pulled off a stunning goal to set up Mumbai City FC's 2-0 win over Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League match, in Vasco, on Sunday.

In a match where both sides struggle to create clear-cut chances, Vignesh's acrobatic 38th-minute strike stood out as a genuine quality moment.

Adam Le Fondre put Sergio Lobera's men further ahead in the 59th minute as Hyderabad tasted their first defeat of the season.

The caginess that marked much of the game was evident from the fact that Vignesh's goal was the only shot on target in the first half.

With Hugo Boumous missing yet again, Mumbai City's creative struggles that plagued them in their last match against Jamshedpur, continued on Sunday as well.

They had the better of Hyderabad in all departments of the game in the first half -- dominated possession, peppered the opposition box with crosses and completed a many more passes. But for the longest time, it looked like a goal would not come.

Whatever questions Mumbai City posed, the Hyderabad defence had the answer. Vignesh's cross in the very first minute of the game was duly dealt with. At the other end of the pitch, Aridane Santana created an opening for Mohammed Yasir, but his cut-back was intercepted by the Mumbai defence.

For Mumbai City, Bipin Singh was a lively figure in attack. The winger, in the 15th minute, whipped in a cross that was headed back into danger by Rowllin Borges at the far post, only for the Goan to be flagged offside.

Bipin was again in the thick of things in the 26th minute, when he unleashed an attempt from down the right, after being fed by Ahmed Jahouh, only to find the side netting.

But just when it looked like a goal was unlikely, it came in the most spectacular of fashions. A free-kick from Jahouh was met with the deftest of touches by Bipin, that diverted it into the path of the onrushing Vignesh. The youngster volleyed it into the net for one of the best goals of the season so far.

Immediately after the goal, Hyderabad had a chance to equalise when Akash Mishra's cross found Yasir in the box. He had a free sight on goal, but somehow managed to divert his header off the target.

Mumbai did not wait long after the second half started to increase their lead. Le Fondre took a touch after receiving a pass from Borges and slotted it past Subrata Paul.

Hyderabad looked livelier than they did in the first half, especially with the introduction of Liston Colaco, but their inability to create clear-cut chances meant that they failed to trouble the Mumbai defence. 

Kerala's stoppage time goal salvages 1-1 draw, prolongs East Bengal's wait

SC East Bengal's agonising wait for their first ever Indian Super League victory continued after conceding a stoppage time goal to be held 1-1 by Kerala Blasters FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim. 

In a battle between two winless teams, Bakary Kone's own goal gave SCEB a 16th minute lead.

The Kolkata giants nearly secured their maiden ISL win from six matches but there was drama and heart break in store for the Robbie Fowler-coached side when it conceded the equaliser with less a minute left before the final whistle.

The 19-year-old Jeakson Singh headed the ball out of Debjit Majumder's reach from a fantastic cross by Abdul Samad as the goal was an effort by two promising Indian substitutes who came in at the break to manage a rescue act for the Kibu Vicuna-coached side.

The result meant both teams remained winless after six matches but SC East Bengal (two points) managed to came out of bottom, overtaking Odisha FC on goal difference in the 11-team standings.
KBFC remained at ninth place with three points.

East Bengal looked the better team in the first half with Anthony Pilkington playing as sole forward making some fine raids, while Jacques Maghoma and Mohammed Rafique too made some impressive moves.

Rafique raided the Kerala box taking a through ball from Maghoma and squared it for a surging Pilkington on his left.

But a desperate Kone tried to intercept in between only to slide the ball into his own net, handing the ISL debutants their third goal from six matches.

Promising youngster Sahal Abdul Samad's substitution at the break gave Kerala the much-needed spark in the attack but the red-and-gold maintained their slender lead till the disastrous last minute.

The 23-year-old came close to scoring first in the 66th minute when he took the possession from a Nishu Kumar from the close range but his powerful shot ballooned over the bar.

Five minutes later, Kerala Blasters almost scored the equaliser when Sahal headed the ball to Jordan Murray inside the box and the Aussie unleashed his powerful strike.

But the Robbie Fowler-coached side made a lucky escape with Debjit Majumder making a stellar save by a strong arm to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Albino Gomes also made a couple of brilliant saves, the best came in the 87th minute when his finger touch denied Maghoma as SC East Bengal came too close but remained far.
Earlier, the Kolkata heavyweights in pursuit of their maiden ISL win got the big boost with captain Danny Fox returning from an injury lay-off after his injury against Mumbai City FC.