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Mumbai City FC won their second consecutive away match and jumped to fifth position in the Indian Super League table, just behind Jamshedpur FC on goal difference. Jorge Costa's men are still unbeaten on the road this season and continued to extend their good record at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Thursday.
The Islanders defeated table-toppers Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kantaveera Stadium on Sunday and bagged another win against Antonio Irondo's men on Thursday.
Jamshedpur had a good start to the season as they won first three of their five matches but have failed to win any of their last four league matches. Irondo would be looking to lift his team's spirits as they play three consecutive matches on the road against Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC and Bengaluru FC next.
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#1 Paulo Machado, the ultimate difference maker in the match
The Portuguese player has been a crucial part of Jorge Costa's side for a couple of seasons now. After playing the first season mostly in the No.10 position, Machado has been a regular fixture on the right this season since Arnold Issoko left the club for French club Caen.
In the 15th minute, Machado cleverly slotted a free kick from the left into the goal as he squeezed it past Subrata Paul who wasn't able to react in time.
After the home side equalized, Machado put a no-look pass into Modou Sougou's path and the Senegalese forward set-up Raynier Fernandes, who scored the winner for Mumbai.
Along with scoring the first goal and playing a vital role in crafting the winner, the 33-year old also made three crucial blocks on the other end of the pitch to cap off a beautiful performance with discipline.
On a night when everyone was getting injured, the Mumbai City man lost his balance and twisted his ankles as he wrongly stepped on the ball under pressure from Aitor Monroy in the 75th minute. Costa would be hoping to get his star man back and fit as soon as possible for the Islanders.
#2 Repeated fouls on Piti proved to be a successful tactic
Mumbai City FC players have made it a habit of repeatedly fouling the opposition's most dangerous player to put a stop on the attacks from their opponents. A similar tactic was on show in their previous matches against ATK and Bengaluru FC as the Mumbai defenders launched repeated fouls on the key players from their opponents.
As soon as the Islanders took the lead, they reverted to the tactic of fouling Piti and Aitor Monroy. Costa's men put in some risky tackles on the Spanish footballer which eventually led to him being injured.
In the 24th minute, Bipin Singh took charge of the dirty work and brought down the 38-year old. In the 34th minute, Singh again fouled Piti giving away another free kick that was wasted. Finally, Jamshedpur converted from a free kick as Piti's delivery was met by Tiri's header and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Just before the hour mark, Piti was taken off due to injuries and Jamshedpur was never the same side as the threat significantly reduced with their star man off the pitch.
#3 Jamshedpur FC badly missed Sergio Castel
Since Sergio Castel got injured in the second half against NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur have failed to win a match. It is no co-incidence that the winless run has co-incided with Castel's injury.
The Spanish striker has five goals in six matches and the Red Miners have been missing his impetus in front of goal and have been heavily reliant on Piti and the young Farukh Choudhary in his absence. Neither Sumeet Passi nor the half-fit CK Vineeth are able enough to lead the line for a club vying to finish in the top four positions of the Indian Super League.
