I-League Media

MUMBAI: Mumbai FC hosted bitter rivals DSK Shivajians in the Maharashtra Derby at Cooperage Stadium on Sunday evening. In what was season’s opening game for both the sides, the Yellow Submarines registered a narrow 1-0 victory to kick-off their campaign on a positive note under new gaffer Santosh Kashyap.

DSK Shivajians started brilliantly but soon faded out against an energetic Mumbai FC side. The host started with nine new players under their new captain Steven Dias.

DSK Shivajians dominated the opening fifteen minutes. Mawhimingthangwa’s powerful shot outside the box just sailed over the bar, which could have been some goal, had it gone in.

Mumbai FC started to take control of the match proceedings and broke the deadlock in the 21st minute through Thoi Singh who volleyed past Soram Anganba after Reagan Singh’s initial shot, which was blocked just outside the box.

Dave Rodgers’ side came close to level the score five minutes later, but Kattimani held his nerve to push Barraso’s initial free kick to clear it out of the 18-yards box.

New DSK’s signing Kim Song Yong also got agonisingly close when his header was brilliantly saved by Kattimani. Once again, the new custodian of Mumbai FC was showing his worth in front of the goal.

Mumbai FC kept the majority of the ball possession in the second half and could have taken a two-goal lead when new captain Steven Dias’ precise cross was almost tapped in by Victorino Ferandes.

The last ten minutes of the game tested Mumbai FC’s backline as Dave Rogers’ side went all in to score the equaliser. The host somehow held their nerves to emerge as winners and win the bragging rights against their rivals.