Mumbai City FC outplayed NorthEast United FC by 4-1 on the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) to go as much as 39 factors and strengthen its place on the high of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 factors desk on Tuesday. Vikram Partap Singh struck the again of the web thrice to turn into solely the sixth Indian in ISL historical past to notch a hat-trick, and the second youngest Indian to take action within the league after Mohun Bagan’s Kiyan Nassiri Giri’s feat towards East Bengal FC in January 2022.
Mumbai registered its fourth victory in its final six matches to additional its formidable run in the direction of retaining the ISL League Winners Shield title. It held a agency grip over the proceedings all through the 90 minutes, with Vikram placing within the third and tenth minute and for the third time within the eightieth to make sure that the house workforce pushed the Highlanders again persistently throughout everything of the match.
The 22-year-old first hit the ball previous NorthEast United FC goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh because of Dutch midfielder Yoell van Nieff. Keen to claim its gameplay from early on, van Nieff caught the Highlanders aback with a swirling supply contained in the field that lobbed previous its defence and was obtained and hammered house by an alert Vikram in entrance of the purpose.
Vikram outwitted the NEUFC defence within the field tonight, sniffing alternatives persistently and drilling deliveries house with impeccable finesse. He was helped with an equally industrious frontline. Bipin Singh teased the NorthEast United FC backline by capturing fiercely along with his left foot, however the shot may solely rattle and rebound off the crossbar.
The ball couldn’t make its well past Vikram although, who jumped upon the possibility and capitalised on it with a simple tap-in to double the lead. His likelihood to safe the hat-trick within the first half didn’t materialise, as Redeem Tlang fouled Akash Mishra contained in the 18-yard field within the added time of the opening essay of the match.
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Van Nieff assumed duty from the spot and cleanly clobbered the ball into the left aspect of Gurmeet to assist Mumbai City FC head into the half-time break with a 3-0 lead for under the fourth time within the final 10 years of the ISL. Vikram rounded off his hat-trick with a shot that demonstrated his placing instincts to the core within the eightieth minute although, with a stunning Lallianzuala Chhangte barging into the NorthEast United FC field and squaring up an help that was slotted into the purpose by a buoyant Vikram.
A minute earlier than that, the guests had salvaged some pleasure with Jithin M.S. scoring by means of a candy strike off an help by Gani Nigam. However, Mumbai City FC responded instantly by means of the counter which resulted in Vikram’s hat-trick. NorthEast United FC is now positioned ninth within the standings, with 20 factors from 19 video games and its playoff qualification possibilities took an enormous hit. To make issues worse, teen Parthib Gogoi was despatched off with a pink card within the added time of the second half.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com