The Strikers endured a day to forget as they suffered a 6-1 defeat at the hands of table toppers AU-Atlanta FC (AU) on Thursday. AU-Atlanta FC have been on a roll obliterating opponents without conceding a single goal. MS came into this match after a controversial loss to GM Sports Club who were second on the table.

In the very 3rd Minute of the first half, MS were a goal down as an attempted header by the AU forward hit Stopper Back Albins Dcruz' head and ended up in goal. Thereon, MS were on their backfoot as AU dominated possession and were unleashing attacks through their right wing. AU got their second goal in the 28th minute amid claims of handball which was denied by the referee. In the 36th minute, yet another handball claim was denied by the referee in the MS D-box as a failed attempt to shoot by the AU midfielder clearly hit his hand, which fell to their striker who unleashed a shot scoring at the far post. Chaos ensued as protesting MS Captain Abhishek Singh was left enraged by the referees unjustified language and poor judgement adding to the tension. The first half ended with AU leading by three goals.

MS began the second half looking to reduce the gap as they took the game to AU. MS almost scored via a corner as the ball was cleared from the goalline by the AU defender. Just minutes later AU managed to get their fourth goal as a through pass over right back Rakesh Patne was met by their winger who put it across goal for a tap-in. Young talented midfielder Rahul Johny came off the bench in the 68 minute to mark his debut for Mumbai Strikers in the Elite Division. Minutes later, Rahul scored his debut goal by sliding the ball below the onrushing keeper, being put through by Akshay Devadiga's sublime through pass. It only proved to be a consolation goal as AU managed to get two more goals in quick succession as the match neared its end.

MS will look to bounce back from the dissapointing results as they face JMJ Sports Club on Tuesday morning at the Neville D'souza Football Ground, Bandra.