Mumbai Super League: Mumbai City FC and India on Track FC battle to a gritty 0-0 draw

by Chittu Shetty December 19, 2023

In a highly anticipated Mumbai Super League Group C clash, Mumbai City FC and India on Track FC settled for a point each at Neville D’Souza Ground on Monday, December 18th.

The match, featuring two of the top contenders in the group C of Mumbai Super League, promised excitement, and it delivered just that.

First Half:

The initial exchanges set the tone for a closely contested encounter. Mumbai City FC gradually gained control, pressing forward and registering a couple of early shots on goal. However, it was India on Track (IoT) who came closest to breaking the deadlock. A long goal kick led to Nathan Braganza’s pursuit into the Mumbai half, resulting in a poor clearance by the Islanders’ goalkeeper under pressure. The ball went only as far as Shubham Dalvi who tried his luck from distance but couldn’t connect his shot well enough and his shot is blocked by the keeper and eventually cleared

Mumbai City responded with a swift counter-attack, producing a low ball into the box, but the shot from Jersey no. 13 was saved by the IoT keeper Vansh. Moments later, another Mumbai attempt, this time from the left, saw a cross finding Omkar, whose shot narrowly missed the target. A free-kick just outside the box provided another opportunity for Mumbai, but the strike went wide.

Despite Mumbai’s dominance in possession and chances, IoT’s defense stood firm, and the first half concluded without a breakthrough.

Second Half:

The introduction of Anurag PC in the second half injected fresh energy into the game. IoT began to make inroads into Mumbai’s defense, with Anurag’s presence immediately impacting the match dynamics. A brilliant ball over the Islanders’ defense by Rohan D’Souza created an opportunity for Anurag, whose attempted chip was collected by the Mumbai City keeper.

Anurag continued to torment Mumbai on the right wing, creating chances with his trickery and pace. A solo effort around the hour mark saw him beat his marker, cut inside, and unleash a shot that was blocked for a corner.

Mumbai had their moments too, with Omkar’s attempt from the edge of the box going over the bar. Another chance for Mumbai came when Jersey no. 9 tried a curling effort from the edge of the box but India on Track Keeper was alert enough to gather it safely.

At the other end, Anurag had a golden opportunity to put IoT in the lead, but his one-on-one shot from a tight angle was saved by the Mumbai City keeper’s outstretched arms.

Following an intense spell of dominance from IOT FC, Saurabh Nikam seized an opportunity as he found a loose ball inside the MCFC box. Controlling the ball onto his right foot from a challenging angle, Nikam unleashed a shot on target while falling, only to be thwarted by the keeper’s agile palm, diffusing the potentially dangerous situation.

Despite sustained pressure from IoT, neither side managed to find the net, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams earning a valuable point.

In a clash where defenses held firm, Mumbai City FC and India on Track FC walked away with a shared spoils, leaving the group wide open for further drama in the quest for the top two spots.

For Fixtures and Standing and News on the MFA Mumbai Premier League: Click

Also Read: In-form India on Track FC Cruises Past 10-Man Charkop FC with a Commanding 3-0 Victory

Also Read: Mumbai Premier League: Sellebrity FC overcomes early deficit to triumph against JMJ FC

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