Bambolim (Goa): Mumbai City FC secured the ISL League Winners Shield and a place in the AFC Champions League with a 2-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan at the GMC Stadium here on Sunday.
Sergio Lobera's men made the most of their chances as they dished out a complete performance to outplay Bagan. Mumbai take on FC Goa, while Bagan clash with NorthEast United FC in the two-legged play-offs.
The final league game of the season was expected to be close, with two of the most consistent teams in the league going head to head. But Lobera's side won comfortably in the end after first-half goals from Mourtada Fall (7') and Bartholomew Ogbeche (39').
Despite losing the top spot to Mumbai, ATK Mohun Bagan will still harbour hopes of salvaging their season with a second successive ISL title.
Being the team with the most goals from set-pieces this season, Mumbai drew first blood in a similar fashion, scoring with their first shot on target. Ahmed Jahouh's free-kick fell to an unmarked Fall, who buried his header from an acute angle across the face of goal to put Mumbai ahead.
The Mariners took control of the game soon after conceding but were forced to make a substitution in the 19th minute with Prabir Das replacing the injured Sandesh Jinghan.
Chances were far and few in between after the opening goal but it was from another set-piece that Mumbai doubled their advantage. Hernan Santana's free-kick rattled the underside of the crossbar and Ogbeche pounced on the rebound, heading into an empty net.
Mumbai started the second-half bright, piling pressure on the Bagan defence. The Mariners, on the other hand, hardly tested Mumbai goalkeeper Amrinder Singh despite dominating possession after the break.
The crossbar proved unlucky for Bagan again, denying Prabir a goal around the hour mark. The substitute lined up a shot from a distance that beat Amrinder, but the ball fizzled out after striking the frame.
Antonio Lopez Habas' side went all out in the closing stages of the game, hoping to script a comeback but Mumbai's backline stood firm, defending in numbers.
(With inputs from ISL Media)
