Mumbai City FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Odisha FC in a thrilling encounter at the Mumbai Football Arena. It was Nikos Karelis’ third goal of the campaign that helped the hosts draw level after Roy Krishna gave the visitors the lead. This was the Islanders’ third draw in this campaign and their second consecutive draw at home. With 6 points in 5 games, they currently sit in 9th place in the 2024-25 Indian Super League table.
It was a fast start from the visitors, who were knocking on the door with efforts on Phurba Lachenpa’s goal in the early stages. Isak Ralte had the first attempt on target, calling the Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lanchepa into action early. The hosts had their first attempt in the 10th minute, when Vikram Pratap Singh attempted a long range shot that was rather harmless.
In a tight tussle in the opening minutes, it was a costly error from Valpuia, who couldn’t be bailed out by his goalkeeper, as Roy Krishna rolled the ball into an empty net to give Odisha FC the lead in the 14th minute. The visitors continued their pursuit for a second goal with Isak Ralte having a go from long range but the Mumbai City FC keeper was relieved to see that go past his post.
The hosts kept pushing for an equalizer and levelled things courtesy of a neat move in the 23rd minute. Some neat one-two between Jon Toral and Lallianzuala Chhangte down the right wing allowed the latter to find his striker, Nikos Karelis, who converted the opportunity from 6 yards.
There was plenty of back and forth in the first half, with Odisha FC coming close from a corner in the 37th minute. However, Carlos Delgado was not able to convert that chance. Jon Toral, who was running the show for Mumbai City FC, missed a wonderful opportunity from six yards in the first half of stoppage time, skying the close range effort with his weak foot.
It was a slow exchange in the second half before Mumbai City upped the ante in the 60th minute, courtesy of their Spanish midfielder once more. It was some tidy work from Jon Toral to tee up Chhangte, whose effort was rather tame in the end. The Spanish midfielder then had an attempt of his own but was denied by Amrinder Singh.
Mumbai City FC got a late boost in the last 10 minutes, after the evening took a sour turn Ahmed Jahouh, who was sent off for his second yellow card in the 80th minute.
The hosts kept pushing and got a big chance in the 85th minute but Nikos Karelis was once again denied by the Odisha FC goalkeeper. Mumbai City FC pushed on to try and clinch a winner in the final stages, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Mumbai City FC will once again be in action at the Mumbai Football Arena on the 3rd November, taking on the Kerala Blasters.
