Resolute Mumbai FC thwart East Bengal
Mumbai FC played out their second successive 0-0 draw in the Hero I-League as they kept a fluent East Bengal side at bay in the second half at Cooperage on Sunday evening. It was a tale of two halves, with Mumbai FC having the better of the first half before East Bengal dominating the second period.
As promised, Mumbai FC lined up in an attacking 4-4-1-1 formation with Sushil Kumar Singh leading the line, supported by Jayesh Rane who played in a free role behind the striker, coming in, in place of Asif Kottayil for this game. East Bengal on the other hand started with a similar formation which saw Ranti Martins take up the lone striker’s role with a front three of Bikash Jairu, Do-Dong Hyun and Sanju Pradhan supporting him, while Mehtab Hossain replaced the injured Sehnaj Singh.
The visitors were given an early scare when a dangerous Steven Dias corner went past the entire crowd of players, somehow evading a Mumbai FC head in the 5th minute. But there was more danger in store for the Red and Golds who were put under considerable pressure by Mumbai FC, especially from the set-pieces.
East Bengal’s goalkeeper Rehenesh TP was called into action in the 18th minute when Mumbai FC’s Eric Brown drilled an effort on target from a rather tight angle, which the East Bengal custodian did well to keep out, diving low to his left.
Brown again came close to putting Mumbai FC ion the lead six minutes later, when he smacked a left footed free-kick against the right hand side post, before Steven Dias put a looping header wide from the resulting play.
The game fizzled out post the half hour mark as neither side was able to hold on to the ball for enough time to create any kind of pressure, before referee P. Vairamuthu put an end to the first half with the game deadlocked at 0-0.
Khalid Jamil madea change at half time at the left back position where Clyde Fernandes made way for Srikanth Ramu, a move which saw Ashutosh Mehta switch to the left back position as Ramu slotted in at right back.
The change however seemed to have destabilized the Mumbai FC back four as a sweeping move from East Bengal in the 54th minute opened the Mumbai FC defense. Sanju Pradhan who was through on goal took too much time to pull the trigger, allowing Pratik Chaudhary to block Pradhan’s final shot on goal.
Nine minutes later, Pradhan once again found himself in acres of space inside the Mumbai FC box after having controlled a Robert Lalthlamuana cross from the right. But the East Bengal winger could only manage to fire his attempt wide.
The Kolkata outfit who were having the better of the second half, once again came close to making the breakthrough in the 72nd minute, when Do-Dong Hyun’s header went inches wide of the target.
Mumbai FC managed to stem the flow of East Bengal attacks after Khalid Jamil added an extra central midfielder in shape of N.P. Pradeep who came on for Steven Dias, but Mumbai FC struggled to conjure up any attacks of their own.
In the end, both the teams seemed content with a point and didn’t take the extra risk to win the game, ensuring the share of spoils in a tight encounter between two sides that failed to produce the fireworks which were expected of them.
The point saw East Bengal occupy the third spot, two points behind leaders Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC. Mumbai FC finished in the evening in the fourth spot with two points in their tally.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Mumbai City FC produce miraculous comeback to seize victory in semi-final clash against FC Goa
Goa, April 24: Mumbai City FC inspired a sensational late resurgence to come back from 2-0 down to win the first leg of their semi-final fixture against FC Goa by…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
Bengaluru FC’s focus on youth football is the reason behind our success in the RFDL: Coach Bibiano Fernandes
Mumbai, April 25: For the third season in a row, Bengaluru FC have qualified for the National Championship of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL). The Blues are two-time defending…
Chembur United – JFC ride on Pradnesh’s late stunner to beat Carmelites FC 1-0.
In a thrilling MFA 1st Div encounter between Chembur United (JupiterFC) and Carmelites FC, the game saw both teams create several scoring opportunities, but a late goal by Chembur United…
AIFF Records Historic Rise in Women’s Footballers
~ President Kalyan Chaubey credits it to the introduction of ‘IWL-2’, – a second tier competition to professionalise women’s football ~ A ‘home-and-away’ format for top tier and availability of…
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…
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…