Top Mumbai City FC players who shone in the AFC Champions League

Mumbai City made history for Indian football in only their second match in Asia's premier club league. In Group B at Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium, the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) champions overcame Iraq's Air Force Club (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya) 2-1 after coming back from a goal down. It was an Indian club's first win in the tournament after FC Goa made their ACL debut the previous year with three draws and three losses.

Many players rose to the challenge to get this historic first win for Mumbai City and the Indian football community. 

Some of the players who delivered star performances are :

Mourtada Fall

The captain of the Mumbai City FC was ever so solid at the back, diving to clear balls in dangerous positions and win one-on-one challenges inside the box, playing a significant role in keeping Air Force from scoring any goals in the first half. And consistently gave his best performance throughout the AFC champions league.

Rahul Shankar Bheke

Despite being a defender, his talent for picking the correct winners at the right time. We must recall his 117th-minute looping header in Bengaluru FC's 1-0 win over FC Goa in the 2018-19 ISL final.

"I only have a chance to score when I go for corners or set-pieces." So I'm going to make sure I get that goal," said Bheke, who became the first Indian to score in the league just weeks after scoring in an international friendly against Bahrain. "Before the game, the coach told us that we had to make history, and I'm glad we did." For me, my family, my team, and my hometown, this is a proud time. I believe everyone will be content there as well."

Diego Mauricio

In the January transfer window, Des Buckingham signed the former Odisha FC striker to replace the departing Ygor Catatau. Since then, the Brazilian has had a significant impact in the last third for the Islanders.

With Igor Angulo out, Diego was left to try and make things work in front of the net for the Islanders. Two of the Brazilian's goals came against the Air Force Club.

The opening goal was a penalty in the first-leg clash between the two teams. Mauricio was given the penalty kick after being pulled down by a defender inside the box. The second goal was scored in the return leg against the same opponents. The goalkeeper blocked Bradden Inman's strike, but the Brazilian redirected it over the line. The athletic prowess of Mauricio contributed to the opponent's defensive setup being thrown off.

Ahmed Jahouh

The Islanders' cornerstone was Ahmed Jahouh's pairing with Lalengmawia Ralte.

In his Asian debut, Jahouh's sense of space and ability to drive the play forward with pinpoint passes has been a valuable asset for Mumbai. He made a critical assist that will go down in Mumbai City FC's history.

To jam the central channel against stronger opponents, Ahmed Jahouh would occasionally drop in between the two central defenders. During counter-attacks, he was able to move the ball faster.

Phurba Lachenpa

Despite committing a few mistakes, Goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa continued to perform admirably while being kept busy by the opposing team in the first game.

He made two crucial saves in the first half against the Al-Jazira FSC, which could have easily been goals for the Spiders.