U Mumba nets two second-half goals to hold KSA 2-2

by Siddharth Yadav February 20, 2019

20th February 2019, Mumbai: In an anticipating MDFA Elite Division (Private Group) encounter, the top two teams Karnataka Sports Association (KSA) and U Mumba clashed at the Cooperage Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. After being 2-0 down at the break, U Mumba scored twice in the second half to salvage a crucial 2-2 draw against the table-toppers KSA.

All the talk surrounding the Private Group has been restricted to KSA and U Mumba ever since the league got underway. Both the outfits are yet to taste a defeat. Along with Mumbai Strikers, KSA and U Mumba are the only clubs to stay unbeaten in Private Group.

U Mumba’s streak would have been ended today but a strong second-half display earned them an important point. KSA started strongly and took the lead in the 5th minute itself through former Air India’s forward Sunny Thakur. A wonderful finish which the U Mumba Goalkeeper couldn’t manage to palm away.

Roughly after ten minutes, KSA doubled their lead through Roger Sam and it seemed that the game has already been sealed by Shyam Sawant’s side. At the break, KSA led 2-0.

In the second-half, U Mumba got back to their routine. Previously, after being 2-0 down against FSI, the newly-entrant side scored three late goals to snatch a memorable victory. The path was same today but the opponent wasn’t.

KSA has one of the meanest defense in the group. Prior to the game, they had only conceded four times. U Mumba had an uphill task to turn things around and they just did that. Leander Dharmai cut short the deficit in the 53rd minute to put the pressure back on KSA.

KSA sat back and defended brilliantly and completely relied on the counter-attack. But in the 80th minute, Mayur Suvare pounced on a loose ball to level the score for U Mumba. Suddenly, the game became wide open.

Both the sides pushed forward to get the winning goal but they had to settle for a point at the final whistle. An entertaining game between two of the best teams this season. Undoubtedly, one can definitely say, a script which it deserved.