Lallianzuala Chhangte stole the winner for Mumbai in stoppage time from the spot as they sneaked past Churchill Brothers 2-1 in the Super Cup Group D match at Sports Council Stadium, Payyanad in Manjeri on Tuesday.
Ansumana Kromah’s goal in the ninth minute was cancelled out by Mumbai City in the 27th minute through Mehtab Singh.
When the match appeared heading for a draw, Chhangte converted a penalty in the third minute of added-on time to give Mumbai all three points.
Both teams seemed to be involved in a competition to waste opportunities that came their way right throughout the match.
ISL shield winners Mumbai had announced an all-Indian side for the Super Cup. On Tuesday, the team management would have realised the importance of their foreign recruits. Their forwards Bipin Rawat, Chhangte and Apuia, who made an impact in ISL and AFC qualifiers, appeared toothless and bereft of ideas.
Churchill took an early lead as Mumbai custodian Phurba Tempa Lachenpa took too long to clear his lines. Churchill forward Kromah snatched the ball from Lachenpa, dribbled past him and calmly slotted the ball into an open net.
Mumbai got back on level terms in the 27th minute. They got a free kick after Anil Gaonkar fouled Hardik Bhatt. Mumbai’s Rowling Borges’s brilliant freekick was headed into the net by Mehtab Singh. Though Churchill goalkeeper Nora Fernandes managed to get a glove on the ball, he was unable to keep it out.
Both teams kept on creating chances one by one after the breather, but a goal eluded them. However, towards the fag end of the match, Churchill defence committed a silly error by bringing down Vikram Pratap Singh inside the box. The referee had no doubt in pointing his hand towards the penalty spot and Chhangte smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to bring joy to the Mumbai camp.
