Mumbai City FC become the first Indian club to win in Asian Champions League

By: Sports DeskUpdated: April 12, 2022 11:20:17 am

Mumbai City FC scripted history on Monday night when they beat Iraqi Air Force Club 2-1 in a Group B tie at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With the win, Mumbai City FC became the first-ever Indian Club to win an Asian Champions League match. Rahul Bheke, a local Mumbai lad, sweetened the night by scoring the winner.

The three-time AFC Cup champions’ Hammadi Ahmed scored first in the 59th minute before Diego Mauricio (70′ pen) converted from the spot and Rahul Bheke’s header in the 75th minute did the job.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 🤩💙#AFCvMUM#IslandersInAsia#ACL2022#AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/vqqQchVsbb

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) April 11, 2022

Mumbai had lost their opening match to Al Shabab 0-3.

After a goalless first half, substitute Hammadi Ahmad gave three-time AFC Cup champions Air Force Club the lead before Mumbai City rallied with goals from Mauracio and Bheke to seal the historic win at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

Air Force Club asserted themselves in the game from the early minutes, pinning Mumbai City deep into their own half but the Iraqi side couldn’t convert their chances.

Air Force Club’s Alaa Abbas was causing all sorts of problems for Mumbai City but the forward should have done better in the ninth minute when his tame effort was easily collected by goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa.

Mumbai City had their first look at goal just before the half-hour mark, Ahmed Jahouh finding space before setting up for Lallianzuala Chhangte, who blasted his long-range effort wide.

At the other end, Air Force Club missed a chance after Abbas headed a Dhurgham Ismail delivery high above the bar before the latter tried to force his shot from a tight angle.

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Hakeem Shakir’s side were almost caught off guard in the 31st minute when Mumbai City’s Ahmed Jahouh sent an inviting cross into the danger area but Diego Mauricio couldn’t keep his headed effort on target.

The best chance of the half fell to Air Force Club in the 34th minute but Hussein Jabbar struggled to guide Ismail’s effort into the back of net from close range while Chhangte was forced into a fingertip save three minutes later, denying Abbas’ effort.

Vikram Singh had a golden opportunity to put Mumbai City in front two minutes from the break but Jabbar was at the right place to foil his effort.

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Air Force Club almost punished Mumbai City in the 52nd minute when Ismail dispossessed Jahouh at the top of the box before setting up Shareef Abdulkadhim, who with only the keeper to beat, sent his effort wide.

🚨FT | 🇮🇶 Air Force Club 1️⃣- 2️⃣ Mumbai City FC 🇮🇳

HISTORIC. The Islanders become the first-ever 🇮🇳 Indian Club to win an #ACL match. Rahul Bheke, a local Mumbai lad, sweetened the night by scoring the winner 🔥#ACL2022 | #AFCvMUMpic.twitter.com/wy3KAZapiQ

— #ACL2022 (@TheAFCCL) April 11, 2022

The goal finally came for Air Force Club seven minutes later when a swift attacking move deep in Mumbai City’s half saw the Iraqi side take the lead after Ahmad cooly nestled the ball into the back of the net from inside the six-yard-box.

Mumbai City, however, were not to be denied when they were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute following Ali Kadhim’s foul on Mauricio, with the Brazilian making no mistake to convert from the spot.

The equaliser proved to be a turning point in the game as Bheke doubled Mumbai City’s lead, heading home a textbook corner from Jahouh to seal the game and a historic first three points.

Mumbai City will aim to build on the win when they play UAE’s Al Jazira on Thursday while Air Force Club will be hoping to bounce back against Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab FC.

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With PTI inputs

First published on: 12-04-2022 at 07:54:50 am Next Story

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