Old boy Goian returns to end Mumbai dreams

Mumbai City FC suffered a heart- break in the most poetic form when Lucian Goian scored the

winner against his former club to help Chennaiyin FC qualify for the Indian Super League playoffs after a tightly-contested

clash on Friday. Clear-cut chances were few and far between in what was

an intense contest that saw Mumbai City reduced to 10-men in the second half.

But Goian's 83rd-minute strike was enough for Chennaiyin to win the contest 1-0 and complete the ISL play-

off lineup. Mumbai City end the league stage in the fifth spot

with 26 points. Chennaiyin, who have one more game left, have 28

points and occupy the fourth spot currently. The game got off to a cagey start as both the teams

were reluctant to give away the first goal. Dragos Firtulescu, who was a late starting lineup

replacement for an injured Andre Schembri, picked up the ball in midfield and released Lallianzuala Chhangte down the left

flank. The Indian winger's looping ball into the box forced

Amrinder Singh to come off his line and punch the ball away. The teams had an equal footing in the game and the

ball was sprayed from one half of the pitch to another. However, it were the defences that dominated the area

in and around the two boxes. The start of the second half saw two big incidents at

either end of the pitch that helped to increase the tempo of the game.

Vishal Kaith was extremely lucky to escape a sending off when he rushed off his line to get to Amine Chermiti who

was sent through on goal. The keeper brought the striker down outside the box

and was cautioned with a yellow card despite protests from the players in blue.

The Islanders suffered a massive blow in the 54th minute. Chhangte was released in behind the defence and was

fouled by Sourav Das with a tackle from behind. The Mumbai midfielder was shown a direct red and the

hosts were reduced to 10 men. Even with the disadvantage, Mumbai City were able to

threaten Chennaiyin's defence after the hour-mark. Chermiti's run behind the defence was well spotted by

Carlos but the striker's shot, after a good first touch to bring the ball down, was disappointing and wide.

The teams pushed for a goal, albeit without conviction, in the final quarter of the match but Lucian Goian

proved to be the difference in the 83rd minute. Nerijus Valskis flicked on Rafael Crivellaro's

corner-kick from the right towards the far post from where the Chennaiyin skipper lashed a volley in and completed a

fantastic turnaround for his team under Owen Coyle.