I-LEAGUE Media Team

MUMBAI: Mumbai FC suffered their second straight defeat after a massive 6-0 loss to Shillong Lajong in the Round 14 match of the Hero I-League at Cooperage on Friday. This was Mumbai’s first loss at Cooperage since returning here this season after a hiatus of five years.

Glen Cornell (21′, 51′), Penn Orji (25′), Zodingliana Ralte (47′), Ulliams Souza Silva (92nd) and Milan Singh (94th) were on target for SLFC, who outclassed Mumbai with their quick passing game and sharpness inside the attacking third.

Mumbai were forced to make a couple of changes to their starting line-up, with Climax Lawrence returning in the midfield in place of Taisuke Matsugae and Nidhin Lal replacing Kunal Sawant as goalkeeper. However, the changes did not spur them on and the Mumbai defence struggled to match their opponents.

After a slow start, the game burst into life in the 21st minute. Robin Gurung tried his luck from the edge of the box. Although his shot was heading wide, Lal decided to play safe but his feeble save fell in the path of a Lajong player, who squared it towards Cornell.

The Trinidadian World Cupper who was waiting near the penalty spot coolly tapped it in to give the visitors the lead. Even before they could recover from the setback, Mumbai went behind by two. Seiminlen Doungel made a run inside the box from the right and cut it back towards Orji. His first-time shot deflected off Mumbai defender Justin Stephen and found the back of net.

SLFC controlled the game for rest of the half, giving little space and possession to Mumbai. Any hopes of a Mumbai comeback were killed early in the second half by the visitors, who scored two beautifully worked goals.

In the 47th minute, Doungel spotted an overlapping run on the right by Aibor Khongjee and played it in his path. Khongjee crossed it towards an unmarked Ralte, whose first shot was stopped by Lal but could not keep the rebound out.

Four minutes later, Cornell and Orji played a one-two inside the box before the former put it past Lal. Ulliams and Milan scored twice in injury time to rub salt to Mumbai’s wounds.

Lajong could have scored a few more goals but could not take their chances. Mumbai, meanwhile, failed to create even one clear-cut chance throughout the match.

Hero of the Match – Penn Orji.