slotbet MCFC Vs CFC, ISL 2024-25: Nikolaos Karelis' Early Strike Helps Mumbai City FC Beat Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC players during the match in the ISL 2024-25. Photo: X | Chennaiyin FC Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC players during the match in the ISL 2024-25. Photo: X | Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC players tried their best to level the scoreline but Mumbai City FC players kept them at bay and won the match in the Indian Super League 2024-25 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday. (More Football News)slotbet

The ISL season is almost halfway and Mumbai City FC found themselves in fourth place after this win over the Southern club. Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, are in ninth place with four wins in 13 games.

The match started with Nikolaos Karelis opening the goal for Mumbai City FC in the eighth minute. His left-footer from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner gave the Islanders the lead in the first half of the game.

After Kareli's strike, Chennaiyin FC created several chances, with Lukas Brambilla testing the goalkeeper and having multiple shots blocked.

Both teams earned several free kicks, with notable moments including Brambilla winning one in the attacking half and Ryan Edwards drawing a free kick in the defensive half.

SAARI Faizal of Malaysia scored two goals for his side, while SAARI Fitri added another, and ANUAR Akhimullah opened the scoring in the first quarter.

Hockey Jharkhand drubbed Gujarat 27-0. Adisan Minj (12’, 16’, 35’, 56’, 58’, 59’) stood out to be top goal scorer for Jharkhand.

The Machans also earned a couple of corners in the next few minutes, but Mumbai City’s defence remained strong.

Despite some missed attempts, particularly from Vikram Partap Singh, the Islanders maintained control with their early advantage.

After recovering from an illness, head coach Owen Coyle named captain Ryan Edwards and playmaker Lukas Brambilla in the starting lineup, with both players overcoming injury concerns to feature in the match.

Coyle also included Jitendra Singh in the starting lineup for the first time this season, while fullback Ankit Mukherjee made his return to the matchday squad for the first time since mid-October, having fully recovered from a prolonged injury.

The match began evenly, but Chennaiyin fell behind early when a deflected shot landed in the path of forward Nikos Karelis, who scored from close range. In search of a quick response, the Marina Machans attempted to break through the hosts' defence and came close on several occasions, with Brambilla and Kiyan Nassiri showing promise. One notable move saw Brambilla get behind the defence, but a crunching tackle denied him a clear shot at goal.

As the first half was winding down, Daniel Chima Chukwu headed the ball into the net from close range, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

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Shortly after the restart, Irfan Yadwad connected with a cross from Chukwu using a diving header, but his impressive attempt struck the crossbar. Moments later, the ball fell to Kiyan in the box; he cut inside onto his left foot and tried to shoot, but his effort was blocked.

Past the hour mark, Chukwu continued to threaten the Mumbai goal with headers, but he was unable to find the target as both of his efforts were stopped by the goalkeeper. At the other end, custodian Mohammad Nawaz held firm to prevent Mumbai from extending their lead, making a notable save to deny Brandon Fernandes.

Chennaiyin will now shift their focus to their next challenge: a crucial home fixture against Bengaluru FC on Saturdayslotbet, December 28.