Premier Futsal Mumbai vs Chennai: Giggs leads Westerners to semis

The match report for the Premier Futsal League, Mumbai vs Chennai game.

Ryan Giggs’ Mumbai 5’s became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the inaugural edition of the Premier Futsal League. Also Giggs, in his third match, finally managed to break his goal scoring nought.

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This leaves Chennai in a tricky spot as they have garnered only 1 point from 3 outings. Their final league group stage match against Kochi now assumes extra significance, as it is now must win for Mumbai. Kochi, on the other hand, need only a point to progress further.

Mumbai, though are the safest of the lot, having already secured their qualification. However, they took the lead under controversial circumstances. Mumbai’s Foglia, who has been their best performer of the season, outmuscled Chennai’s Sean Garnier to gain possession.

Garnier’s appeals for a foul fell on deaf ears, before Foglia chipped the goalkeeper to score. Redemption was soon at hand.

In the same quarter, Chennai’s Nanda put in a cross from the right hand side which managed to evade all the blue shirts, before making its way to Garnier. The freestyler made no mistake as he chested the ball into the net.

Led by their momentum, Chennai took the lead in the second quarter. Romulo disposed Mumbai’s Angellot and then sent a powerful drive into the back of the net. The shot actually managed to rip a hole in the net.

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However, Chennai’s joy was short live as their marquee player, Falcao, had to be substituted with an injury. Angellot then got into the act. A well worked team effort was controlled by Foglia, who then passed to Angellot.

The Colombian blasted the ball into the net, surely scoring one of the goal of the season contenders. Angellot looked relieved as it had been his showboating which had led to Chennai’s second goal .It was indeed a day of redemption.

He wasn’t done yet. In fact he was involved in Chennai’s next goal too. Camilo took the shot after a swift Chennai attack from the left. The ball deflected off Angellot, before going through the goalkeeper’s feet.

Then came the moment that fans had been waiting for. Ryan Giggs exchanged passes with Angellot. The 42 year old then tapped home from close range to equalize.

The game went back and forth and it seemed that honours would be shared. Mumbai, ultimately, had the last laugh and who else but Foglia, to deliver when it mattered. The Brazilian-born Italian shot through the Chennai goalkeeper’s feet to bring up his 4^th goal of the tournament.

Chennai did not have sufficient ammunition or time to affect proceedings any further. The final whistle blew confirming Mumbai’s semi-final qualification while Chennai’s hopes held on by a thread.

Mumbai face Kochi tomorrow in their final group stage game. Chennai will have to pray for a Mumbai victory, as even a single point for Kochi will derail Chennai’s campaign.