Mumbai FC defeated RCF 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Nadkarni Cup at the RCF Ground, Chembur, on Saturday.
Manuel D’Souza and Ebi Sukore scored for the I-League side while Sunny Sangar pulled one back for the home team as the action returned after a two day rain break.
Defending champions Mumbai FC were the favourites in the match but their performance in the opening exchanges of the game did little to suggest their superiority. Both sides took twenty minutes to settle down and both goalkeepers were largely untested.
Mumbai FC tried to use the height of their international forward Abhishekh Yadav, but the RCF defenders managed deal with the crosses.
Eventually, Yadav did play a part in giving his side the lead but not with his head. He controlled a long ball on the right flank, in the 25th minute, and played a delicate pass to D’souza who deflected it inside the far post.
Coming into the second half with a goal advantage, Mumbai FC slowed down the pace and tried to keep possession. In the 76th minute, the visitors doubled their lead with S Kutty Mani, receiving a high-ball, put it in the box with an overhead kick. Sukore, who was unmarked, volleyed it past Joseph.
Sangar’s goal gave RCF some hope late on in the game. When Praveen Sharma won a penalty. However, the three minutes of regulation time plus the stoppages were not enough for the home team to stage a comeback. Mumbai FC will take on Kenkre Academy.
