A 2-0 victory over Hindustan FC here on Monday helped Mumbai Tigers FC emerge a favourite to qualify from Group ‘C’ in the second division I-League.
Mumbai Tigers now leads Group ‘C’ with 16 points, while Southern Samity and NRB Vasco SC trail with 14 and 13 points respectively. All three teams have one match in hand, and the top-two will progress to the next round.
NRB Vasco SC is expected to have an easy outing against Lunagmual FC (Mizoram) on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the final day of this phase, Mumbai Tigers FC takes on Southern Samity in a crucial tie.
Mumbai Tigers regrouped after a lacklustre first-half. In the 55th minute, striker Mohammed Rafi got his team on its way with a powerful scissor-kick. The ball, however, went just wide of the far post.
Pin-point cross
Three minutes later, Bikash Jairu delivered a pin-point cross to an unmarked Rafi. With a quick sprint across the goal, Rafi latched on and side-footed the ball past the goalkeeper.
In the 68th minute, Rafi was once again in action, with a weak shot on target from close range. The ball took a deflection off his teammate Paresh Shivalkar to seal three vital points for Mumbai Tigers.
The result: Mumbai Tigers 2 (Mohammed Rafi, Paresh Shivalkar) bt Hindustan FC 0.
Tuesday’s matches: Kalighat Milan Sangha FC, Kolkata vs South United FC; NRB Vasco SC vs Lunagmual FC.
