Unlucky Mumbai City FC held by Kerala Blasters

In front of a strong 61,483 passionate fans, the clash between Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC ended in a stalemate at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
Both the outfits could have been ended on a winning side but failing to convert chances into goals were being wasted by both, Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC. It was the first goalless draw of this season’s Indian Super League.
Subrata Pal was left on the bench as he just returned from the National duties, Debijit Majumder started in front of goal. Sunil Chhetri, Frederic Piquionne, Andre Moritz, Keegan Pereira and player cum manager Nicolas Anelka all were on bench.
Sonny Norde, Subhash SIngh and Gabriel Fernandes all started as attackers for the Mumbaikars. So many changes left Mumbai fans surprised.
The host too missed star players on bench as Sandhesh Jhingan was not included in the starting line-up.
Rahul Bheke, CK Vineeth, Peter Rampage, Mehtab Hossain all started for the Blasters. Manandeep started up front with Dagnall.
Mumbai City started brightly as compared to Kerala Blasters. Sonny Norde seemed dangerous on the left side as he supported Gabriel Fernandes throughout the match. Inside just five minutes, Gabriel Fernandes latches onto a long ball by Pavel Cmovs but his effort went just above the bar.
The Mumbaikars continued with their early pressure and called Kerala keeper Stephen Bywater into action in the 12th minute. Subash Singh tried guiding in a Norde free-kick into the Kerala goal but Bywater was positioned perfectly to thwart out the danger.
Minutes later, Pulga’s long ball in from the right wing travelled awkwardly on goal and had to be tipped over by the Mumbai City FC’s goalkeeper, Debijit Majumdar, Mohun Bagan’s attacker Sony Norde was lively throughout the half on the left flank, and was giving the hosts all sorts of trouble.
The Haitian’s pace and strength made life difficult for Kerala defenders Rahul Bheke and Gurwinder Singh. His thundering shot in the 38th minute could have easily found the back of the net had it been a yard to the right or left of Bywater.
It was Norde once again who had the last shot of the first half which saw both teams heading in at the break all square.
Kerala Blaster’s manager Peter Taylor replaced Manandeep Singh with Ishfaq Ahmed while Mumbai City FC’s marquee player cum coach Nicolas Anelka bought on Ashutosh Mehta and Selim Benachour for Aitor Fernandez Lopez and Thangjam Singh.
Subhash Singh came close to scoring for Mumbai City FC on 54th minute. The striker produced some tidy footwork and tested Kerala’s keeper with the effort that followed.
Substitute Sanchez Watt, who came on in the 72nd minute for Kerala Blasters, had their best opportunity ten minutes after his introduction. The Englishman should have put his side in front, a heavy touch allowed Mumbai’s keeper to close him down and kill the attack.
Mumbai substitute Frederic Piquionne came closest to scoring two minutes later when his shot thudded against the Kerala goalpost. Both side’s substitutions were starting to leave their mark on the game as fresh legs were clearly making their presence felt in the sweltering heat of Kerala.
Mumbai City FC should have won a penalty in the final minute of the game when Gurwinder Singh barged into the back of Frederic Piquionne who was trying to get on the end of a cross. Mumbai City were unfortunate that the referee
For his impressive performance, Mumbai City FC’s Subhash Singh was named “Hero of the Match” award.
MFA Super League: Group standings, October fixtures are out
October fixtures for MFA Super League are out. Check out the current group standings and brace yourself for thrilling clashes with the new fixtures. As the echoes of thrilling September…
St. Patrick’s High School, Jharkhand defend their Junior (U 17) Girls Subroto Cup title
New Delhi, September 26, 2023: St. Patrick’s High School, Gumla, Jharkhand defended their title in the 62nd Subroto Cup Junior (U 17) Girls Inter School International Football Tournament defeating G.S.S.S Alakhpura,…
Mumbai City FC shifts AFC Champions League home fixture against Al Hilal to Navi Mumbai
Mumbai City FC recently announced the relocation of their group stage home fixture against Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal from Pune to Navi Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil stadium. This strategic…
Igor Stimac names 26 probables for Merdeka Cup 2023
Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Igor Stimac, on Friday, September 29, 2023, named a list of 26 probables for the Merdeka Cup 2023, to be played in Malaysia from…
We need to play as a cohesive unit against Saudi Arabia, says Sunil Chhetri
NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri is aware of the problems the India Men’s team are facing during their current Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou. He is also conscious of India’s dismal track…
Bengaluru FC take on in-form Mohun Bagan SG with scores to settle from 2022-23 final
Bengaluru FC will travel to Kolkata to square off against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a repeat of the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 at the…
Indian team for AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers announced
A 14-member Indian Men’s National futsal squad was announced on Sunday, October 1, 2023, for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers in Tajikistan, in which India will be participating…
Hugo heroics help Mohun Bagan SG nudge past 9-man Bengaluru FC
Mohun Bagan SG rode on goal from Hugo Boumous to beat Bengaluru FC by a slender 1-0 margin in a grueling contest at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata The…
FC Goa fans eagerly await a season of resurgence and victory in ISL
Goa, September 26, 2023: With the anticipation of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season growing stronger, FC Goa’s ardent fans have voiced their excitement and expectations for the club’s…
Om Saidham SM secure convincing victory over Soccer Saga SA
26th September 2023, Neville D’souza Ground – In a thrilling MFA Super League encounter, Om Saidham SM emerged victorious with a commanding 4-1 win over Soccer Saga SA. The match…
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…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…