Kalinga Super Cup: Mumbai City FC Come From Behind To Take Full Points Against Gokulam Kerala

Mumbai City came from a goal down to beat Gokulam Kerala 2-1 in their Group C match of the Kalinga Super Cup in  Bhubaneswar on Thursday. An off-colour and youngster-filled Mumbai City were made to struggle for the points and rely on a penalty to seal it in injury time. Mumbai City settled into their groove early into the game and were almost presented with a goal in the fourth minute of the game. Abdenasser El Khayati shrugged off his marker on the left wing, before crossing the ball into the six-yard area, where Avilash Paul punched it into the path of Nathan Rodrigues. The youngster volleyed high.

The game entered a pattern, where Mumbai City, predictably, controlled the proceedings, and constantly probed Gokulam's defensive structure. Their hard pressing and eagerness to win the second ball caused huge problems for Gokulam who struggled at times to even get out of their half.

In the 12th minute, this high press style saw Jayesh Rane steal the ball just outside the Gokulam box and lay it to Gurkirat Singh. The striker shot wide.

Mumbai City's ability to keep the pressure also came with its own caveats - that of an overconfidence seeping in. Gokulam made them pay for it in the 23rd minute, off a simple two pass counter attack.

Debutant Nikola Stojanovic played a long ball from his own half into the Mumbai box, where Aminou Bouba rose highest to head it towards goal.

An error of judgement by Phurba Lachenpa saw the ball bounce off the bar and straight into the path of Alex Sanchez, who accepted what will undoubtedly be his simplest chance this season. Gokulam had a shock lead.

Despite Mumbai's overwhelming pressure late in the half - which forced Paul into a few smart saves - Gokulam's goal remained unbreached at the