Mumbai City FC hold Kerala Blasters goalless

Mumbai, 12 November 2014: Mumbai City FC came up with yet another solid display to hold Kerala Blasters FC to a 0-0 goalless draw in the inaugural Hero Indian Super League game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
Plagued by injuries to its key players – Andre Moritz, Syed Rahim Nabi and marquee Freddie Ljungberg – Mumbai City FC went into the match with a chance to go on top of the league table for the first time in the tournament but needed to summon all their defensive resolves to keep the hosts at bay in a fast-paced encounter.
The hero of the match for Mumbai was undoubtedly goalkeeper Subrata Pal, who stood tall in moments of pressure to maintain his fourth clean sheet in a row, his fifth in the tournament.
Kerala Blasters were definitely first to find their rhythm and it was the acrobatic Subrata Pal who kept them at bay in the seventh minute itself when he parried a Milagres Gonsalves header from six yards off a Sabeeth cross.
Subrata was pressed into action a couple of times more as Kerala Blasters use long balls inside the box in search of an opener but the custodian and Mumbai City FC defence always stood tall. The custodian’s out stretched hands kept Mumbai City FC alive again in the 65th minute when he left his line on time to parry a cross from Sabeeth with Milagres lurking in the six yard box.
Going forward, Mumbai City FC were hampered with the absence of their key playmaker Andre Moritz, who had limped out before half-time in their last game against FC Goa. In his absence, Frenchman Nicolas Anelka played in a bit more withdrawn position and the visitors could have had the last laugh but for the woodwork that denied them a goal in the 77th minute when Tiago Ribeiro’s first time shot off Anelka’s cross came off the right hand post.
The draw means that Mumbai City FC remains in fourth position with 11 points from eight encounters while Kerala Blasters are sixth with nine points.
Manager Peter Reid admitted that it was a tough match and they missed Moritz, skipper Nabi and marquee signing Freddie Ljungberg. “It was good game and both teams wanted to win. We started slowly but then we made some good moves. But we need to concentrate on attack more now.”
Goalkeeper Subrata Pal was satisfied with the team’s performance and said the defence was looking rock solid now. “We now have four consecutive clean slates and five overall and that is very good for us going forward.”
Result:
Kerala Blasters FC 0 drew with Mumbai City FC 0
Hero of the Match: C.S. Sabeeth
Swift moment of the match: C.S. Sabeeth
Fittest player of the match: Tiago Ribeiro
Emerging player of the match: Lalrindika Ralte
Hashu Advani Centennial Cup / Local Football
Union Bank of India clinch Inaugural Hashu Advani Centennial Cup 2025
Union Bank of India defeated Kalina Rangers in the final to clinch the inaugural edition of Hashu Advani Centennial Cup 2025
Mumbai Super League: Mumbai Ultras & Waves FC secure crucial wins to shake up the standings
On Day 2 of the Mumbai Super League final round, Mumbai Ultras and Waves FC picked up vital victories against Brothers WA and Mumbai Soccer Prodigies (MSP), respectively, setting the…
South United FC announces Trials for their Residential Academy
South United Football Club (SUFC) announces the upcoming trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held at the Club’s Ulsoor facility in Bengaluru.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League: Mohd. Khatib’s late equalizer rescues a Point for MH Oranje FC against Mumbay FC
MH Oranje FC salvaged a dramatic late equalizer in the dying seconds of added time as Mohd. Khatib’s strike deep into the injury time denied Mumbay FC all three points…
FC Goa break 13-game-long winless run against Mumbai City FC with 3-1 victory
FC Goa defeated Mumbai City FC by 3-1 at the Mumbai Football Arena in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 to break their 13-game-long winless run against the Islanders in…
Mumbai Super League-Final Round: Nihal Colaco Steals the Show with a Hat-Trick for MSP while Waves & Brothers Drew
The Mumbai Super League Final Round got underway with contrasting results in both fixtures. Nihal Colaco’s second half hat-Trick helps MSP with 3-0 win while Waves & Brothers settle for a draw
Reliance Foundation Young Champs crowned regional champions with 6-1 win over Brothers Sports Association
Reliance Foundation Young Champs grabbed an impressive 6-1 win over Brothers Sports Association in the regional final of Dream Sports Championship’s Mumbai leg at the Cooperage Football Stadium on Friday….
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…
Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season
Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…
Academy / Football Academy / Trials
Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players
Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…