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Hammond inspires Mumbai FC to victory

Special Correspondent

FOOTBALL / The team rallies from a two-goal deficit to register a 3-2 win

— Photo: PTI

DOING HIS BEST: Mumbai FC’s James Dissiramah (right) clears the ball from JCT’s Balwant Singh in the I-League tie on Wednesday.

MUMBAI: Ghanaian Abel Hammond electrified the proceedings at the Cooperage with a stunning performance and paved the way for Mumbai FC’s shock 3-2 win against JCT Phagwara in the ONGC I-League here on Wednesday.

Unleashed as one of the two substitutes by coach David Booth once Eduardo da Silva had put the visitor 2-0 ahead five minutes after the interval, the 23-year-old striker showed a fast pair of legs and eventually employed his head to bring cheer to his side as well as a roaring crowd.

Hitting back

Hammond’s success kindled his fellow players who had provided the leeway for JCT’s Balwant Singh and Eduardo da Silva to find the net seven minutes before half-time and five minutes after resumption.

Mumbai FC ought to have taken the lead, but Abhishek Yadav’s firm acute angle grounder missed the far post by inches. With Booth ordering timely substitutions in the second half, the match began to drift towards the home team, confirmation of which came with another Ghanaian — Felix Aboagye — deflecting home a Kamaljeet Kumar corner.

Smart move

The equaliser further activated the Mumbai FC players upfront and it did not come as a surprise when JCT’s Karanjit was beaten in the air for the third time under the bar when Abhishek, from well outside the box, smartly lifted the ball over his head.

Hammond’s remarkable display brought Mumbai FC its first win since October 11 when it beat Mahindra United 1-0 at the same ground. It now has 16 points from 10 matches.

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