Mumbai keep semis hopes alive

Agencies Mumbai, December 7 Lalrindika Ralte scored one and assisted another as Mumbai City FC registered a 2-1 victory over Atletico de Kolkata at the D.Y.Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on Sunday evening. The Mizoram midfielder gave the home side the lead in the first half before Baljit Sahni pulled one back for the visitors. However, Ralte turned provider this time and Manuel Friedrich headed home the winner in the 76th minute. With the win, Mumbai still stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals if they win their final league game at NorthEast United and hope the likes of Delhi and Pune drop points. As for Kolkata, qualification will be guaranteed only if they beat the in-form FC Goa at home in their final league fixture. Anything less, and they will be at the mercy of other results in the final round. Within the opening three minutes, Syed Rahim Nabi cut in from the right flank and breezed past a couple of white shirts unchallenged before dragging his shot harmlessly wide. From the resultant goal-kick, Atletico engineered their first chance as Rafi broke down the left before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box from where Borja Fernandez steered his effort past the far post. In the 21st minute, Anelka found himself in space and let fly from range but Edel was able to make a routine save. Mumbai enjoyed more of the ball but both teams created very little in the final third. The game desperately needed a goal and the hosts obliged in the 40th minute. Tiago went on a marauding run down the right flank after being released by Deepak Mondal, as he burst into the penalty area and cut the ball back perfectly for Ralte whose side-foot finish left Edel helpless. Atletico began the second period with more purpose in attack as Garcia played in Fikru in the 47th minute. The Ethiopian burst into the box but was closely watched by Pavel Cmovs who made a vital challenge just as the striker was about to pull the trigger. Four minutes later, a Mumbai corner kick was cleared only as far as Anelka who laid the ball off for Asif to strike. The Indian midfielder unleashed a piledriver from range which which beat Edel but crashed off the upright. Fikru popped up on the right in acres of space on the hour mark and drove towards goal before Ralte brought him down just outside the box. From the free-kick, Garcia rolled the ball into the path of Borja who was left unmarked on the edge of the box. The Spaniard's effort was tame but fell to Sahni who guided it in from close range. Three minutes later, Mumbai had a glorious opportunity to regain the lead. Tiago bombed down the left side and played a perfect ball into the six yard area where Abhishek Yadav only needed to tap it home. The striker however, decided to take a touch, failed to control and allowed the defender to poke it away for a corner. Josemi's free-kick in the 70th minute from over 30 yards out forced a good save from Subrata who helped the ball onto the framework to keep the scores level. Mumbai then re-established their lead in the 76th minute from a free-kick. Ralte's delivery into the box found Manuel Friedrich who had ghosted in unmarked at the far post. The former German international buried his free header past Edel for his first goal of the tournament. With 81 minutes on the clock, the hosts nearly doubled their advantage from another Ralte free-kick. This time the delivery was met by a Cmovs header back across goal where Abhishek's flicked effort was tipped over by the Atletico custodian. Atletico tried to force the issue in the closing stages but couldn't get past a stubborn Mumbai defense. The Blues meanwhile, made no attempt to expedite proceedings and were happy to run down the clock. The away side were afforded plenty of time to grab an equalizer though as eight minutes were added on at the end of regulation time. In the fourth minute of injury time, Ralte lined up a shot from distance but his powerful left-footed attempt was off target. In the following minute, a counter attack saw the ball fall for Asif on the edge of the box. The midfielder had time to steady himself but Edel collected his effort comfortably. It was all hands on deck for Mumbai in the dying moments as they sat deep and resorted to clearing away the danger. There was drama right at the death though as Garcia's cross was flicked on for Arnal who stabbed it past Subrata only to see the linesman signal for offside.