Manuel Friedrich headed home a face-saving goal for Mumbai City FC, the 76th-minute strike from the German international helping the home team sneak home 2-1 against Atletico de Kolkata in the Indian Super League. Lalrindika Ralte and Baljit Sahni had scored once for either side before the ex-Borussia Dortmund pro sealed victory for the hosts.
ATK kept on attacking right to the end but ran out of luck at the whistle when a tap from Spanish substitute Arnal Carbo past Subrata Paul was ruled off-side. The relief at snatching a draw turned to disgust of defeat, the third in 13 games and ATK now remains third (18 points, 13 games).
Mumbai City lifted itself off the floor with its fourth win into seventh place (15 points, 13 games).
The German central defender knows his way in the rival goalmouth and is credited with goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season, for Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League 2011 against Chelsea and for Germany in the Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino. ATK was caught napping when he dashed in from nowhere to nod home past Apoula Bete.
The ATK custodian was beaten earlier in the 40th minute. Deepak Mondal found Tiago Riberio with a controlled pass, and the Portuguese surprised the defence with a speedy burst to the goalline and relayed a pass to his right and across. Ralte ran into space in the goalmouth and jabbed home first-time before the rivals could react.
ATK snatched the equaliser in the second half, substitute Baljit Sahni controlling and placing home a right-footer after Borja Fernandez relayed the ball with a quick diagonal pass from the centre towards the left post. The Mumbai defence and goalkeeper were beaten by Borja’s decision to pass instead of a blast at target.
The home team regained the lead through a setpiece move. Lalrindika floated the ball into the goalmouth off a free-kick. Bete and his defenders were frozen by indecision, allowing Friedrich to arrive unmarked and score.
Stohanzl then troubled the ATK defence with a solo run from the centerline, carrying the ball forward instead of looking around for a teammate to pass. A desperate Josemi lunge led to a flag-kick. Anelka grabbed the ball rolling off a clearance and set up Asif with a stylish pass whose first timer crashed into the post.
The result: Mumbai City FC 2 (Lalrindika Ralte 40, Manuel Friedrich 76) bt Atletico de Kolkata 1 (Baljit Sahni 60).
