Mumbai City FC were held to a 0-0 draw by East Bengal FC in a hard-fought encounter at the Mumbai Football Arena. The hosts came close on numerous occasions, registering 15 attempts and having the dominant share of the position. However, they eventually had to share the spoils with East Bengal FC.
Mumbai City FC suffered an early setback with Nikolaos Karelis having to be replaced by Vikram Pratap Singh in the 6th minute, due to an injury. Mehtab Singh made a crucial block in the 10th minute, as the Islanders tried to find their groove in the opening exchanges.
Phurba Lachenpa was called into action in the 12th minute, making a crucial save to keep things level. Bipin Singh was lively down the left wing for the hosts, constantly causing problems for the opposition. Valpuia had Mumbai City FC’s first attempt on goal in the 20th minute, striking a volley from distance that fizzed past the East Bengal FC goal.
The hosts grew into the game and eventually found their rhythm, keeping plenty of possession as they probed against the visitors. Brandon Fernandes registered his first attempt in the 34th minute, after a tidy move down the left side, but failed to hit the target. Mehtab Singh also had a go from long range, as the Islanders started to pile on the pressure on their opponents.
Mumbai City FC ended the half strongly as Bipin Singh missed from close range after a cross from Lallianzuala Chhangte. East Bengal FC came close to snatching the lead in first-half stoppage time and were denied by Phurba Lachenpa, who got fingertips to an effort from distance, to parry it onto the post, closing out a hard-fought half between the two sides.
Bipin Singh came close to giving Mumbai City FC the lead with a header in the 49th minute, from a cross by Lallianzuala Chhangte. Brandon Fernandes registered another attempt soon after, as the hosts kept knocking at the door to find the opening goal.
Petr Kratky made a couple of changes in the 62nd minute, replacing Thaer Krouma and Bipin Singh with Yoell van Nieff and Jorge Ortiz. The move almost paid instant dividends as the Dutch midfielder played Vikram Partap Singh through on goal. Unfortunately, despite beating the keeper, the attacker’s attempt was cleared away by the last defender.
Vikram Partap Singh registered another attempt on target in the 66th minute as the hosts became relentless in their pursuit to find the opening goal. With a free kick from the edge of the box, Yoell van Nieff had an attempt that had the East Bengal FC goalkeeper untroubled.
The visitors came close to getting their noses in front in the 75th minute after Dimitrios Diamantakos hit the post. Mumbai City FC’s new signing Jorge Ortiz was denied the chance to give his team the lead in the 80th minute, courtesy of a sharp save from Lal Chungnunga. The East Bengal FC keeper was called into action again after Valpuia had a go from distance.
The Islanders kept on pushing for the win even in the dying embers, coming close on a couple of occasions. However, both teams had to settle for a point each in this goalless encounter.
Mumbai City FC will be back in action at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on 7th February, taking on the NorthEast United FC.
