ISL 2025-26: Kotal’s own goal gives Mumbai City victory against Chennaiyin in mediocre match

It is not without reason that the legendary Johan Cruijff once preached: “Playing football is simple, but playing simple football is difficult.”

Chennaiyin FC (CFC) learned that lesson the hard way in the Indian Super League (ISL) season opener as a momentary loss of concentration led to a 0-1 defeat to Mumbai City FC (MCFC) in Mumbai on Thursday.

Pritam Kotal was the only player to golf from the right side of the net at the Mumbai Football Arena, but it was his rival who left the field smiling.

Unfortunately for the Chennaiyin co-captain, he left the door wide open for MCFC with his own goal, on a night when the hosts struggled to unlock the visiting defense.

Kotal was said to have been both hurt and furious at the end of the match as he turned the ball in from a harmless throw in the 49th minute. Joni Kauko earned a lucky assist as the Chennaiyin centre-back, despite being unchallenged in the area, guided the ball home.

While CFC left no stone unturned to level the score, Mumbai City weathered a mini-storm at the end to start the campaign in the best possible way.

Overall, both teams were anything but clinical, and their rustiness was there for all to see during the opening period. Misplaced passes, stop-start action and speculative drives from long range were at the heart of the goalless first half. In the end, it was a fatal mistake that decided the decisive match, longing for attacking quality.

Published on February 19, 2026