Felix nets winner for Mumbai FC against East Bengal

Kolkata, Sep 30 (UNI) A first half goal from Felix Aboage enabled Mumbai FC to get past East Bengal 1-0 in the second round of the ONGC I-League at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here tonight.

The debutants turned giant killers in this edition of the countrywide league championship as the visitors in the opener had defeated Mohun Bagan 2-1 to bag all six possible points to hold the pole position.

Well built Felix did what he was expected to do by coach David Booth, just to score a goal quickly.

The all important goal came in the 22nd minute from a set piece move.

Anticipating a pass from Subash Chakraborty, Felix chested the ball down and turned 180 degree to outwit Suleh Musha before placing far post hoowinking advancing Subrata Paul, India's international goalkeeper.

A minute before, Mumbai FC had survived a two-pronged attack following a corner from Rennedy Singh. First a goalline save by a Mumabi defender and then a valiant repulsion from Kalyan Chowbey on a return grounder from Edmilsion Marques before Mehrajuddin Wadoo shot wild from close range.

Chowbey excelled today like the previous game but his fierce temperament and an argument with referee A Arjunan cost him next match as he got second successive yellow card.

The East Bengal defence was vulnerable following sickness of Surkumar Singh. Khelemba Singh replaced Surkumar, but the defence line was not upto that mark to pre-empt attack from Felix and Abel Hammond.

In the second half, new coach Stanley Rozario brought in all three substitutes but his plaeyrs ran out of ideas and failed to get an equaliser.

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