Cheni FC win against struggling Mumbai FC

Cheni, Feb 11: Cheni City FC registered their second win of the season and first under new coach V. Soundararajan as they edged past Mumbai FC 2-1 in an eighth round I-League tie here on Saturday. Soundararajan, replacing the sacked Robin Charles Raja in his first game in charge, saw his team record a much-needed victory which lifted them off the foot of the table with seven points from eight matches. Cheni are now on seventh position.

Mumbai, on the other hand, succumbed to their sixth defeat on the trot having only six points from eight outings. The Santosh Kashyap coached team are now on eighth spot. Dhanpal Ganesh (29th) and Charles (69th) found the back of the net for the hosts after Mumbai's new recruit Anderson da Silva opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Mumbai got the first chance of the match when Victorino Ferndes sped past Cheni's Debabrata Roy but his cross-shot trickled just wide.

The visitors did not have to wait long for the opening goal.

Anderson scored from the spot in the 28th minute after Roy handled the ball inside the area to award Mumbai a pelty.

But their joy was short lived as the home team restored parity one minute later. Ganesh rose highest to glance a beautiful header into the far corner from a flag kick.

In the 39th minute, Cheni almost regained the lead when Anderson volleyed in Munmum Lugun's cross only to be ruled offside. At halftime, both teams were level at 1-1. Cheni were the better team post the breather. In the 59th minute, the hosts uncorked the Mumbai defence as Charles picked out Edwin Vanspaul with a delicious through ball but the latter rushed his shot and failed to get past Mumbai keeper Laxmikant Kattimani.

Rightfully, in the 69th minute, Charles gave Cheni the lead for the first time in the match with a piece of individual brilliance. IANS