In the Indian Super League opener here on Friday, Mohun Bagan let slip a two-goal lead and ended up playing out a 2-2 draw with Mumbai City FC, demonstrating their defensive shortcomings once again in a two-week period.
In the Indian Super League opener here on Friday, Mohun Bagan let slip a two-goal lead and ended up playing out a 2-2 draw with Mumbai City FC, demonstrating their defensive shortcomings once again in a two-week period. One of the foreign players with the longest tenure in the league, Tiri of Mumbai City scored his new team’s first goal of the day in the 70th minute after giving his old team, Mohun Bagan, an early lead with an own goal in the ninth.
In the 28th minute, Alberto Rodriguez, who was playing in his first ISL match for Mohun Bagan, gave the Mariners a two-goal lead. But the Jose Molina-coached Mohun Bagan were unable to hold onto their lead, echoing their August 31 loss to NorthEast United FC in the Durand Cup final at the same location.
Mumbai City FC produced a tremendous comeback in the second half, equalizing through substitute Thaer Krouma, to secure a vital away point in the midst of a torrential downpour. Mumbai’s defense gave way to Mohun Bagan’s Liston Colaco, who outmuscled Valpuia to get inside the box. It happened after Mumbai City was unable to clear a free kick that Mohun Bagan had taken.
Colaco, on the left flank, received a pass from Subhasish Bose and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. Mohun Bagan took an early lead after the ball deflected off Tiri and entered his own net due to Phurba Lachenpa of Mumbai’s goalie failing to intercept the play. Mumbai had their opportunities, chiefly in the thirteenth minute when Nikolaos Karelis was placed at the far post by captain Lallianzuala Chhangte’s tempting cross from the right; however, the striker misjudged his header and lost a fantastic chance to equalize.
With a ferocious strike in the 28th minute, Mariners rookie Alberto Rodriguez increased the team’s lead.
After a Mohun Bagan corner, Mumbai City again failed to clear their lines due to another defensive blunder. Ashish Rai, on the right, received the lost ball from Dimitri Petratos and sent a precise cross into the box.
Rodriguez scored his first ISL goal with a cool finish after Greg Stewart, who was at the far post, rose highest and nodded the ball into his path.
Mumbai City pushed for goals early in the second half, but Manzoro’s wildly ambitious attempt in the 46th minute flew over the crossbar.
In the 79th minute, Rodriguez—who had played a key role in their first-half performance—had to be replaced after suffering a cramp. This turned out to be a mistake as Mumbai City took advantage of the change in momentum and their onslaught lost its bite.
Mumbai made two significant substitutes in the 87th minute: Krouma and Brandon Fernandes.
The game ended in stoppage time when Krouma scored in the ninetieth minute, capping off a deft move by Noufal to tie the score at two goals.
Mumbai City’s remarkable comeback was completed with a dramatic draw, despite Mohun Bagan’s late penalty call for handball and skipper Subhasish Bose’s yellow card. With Nikolaos Karelis up front, chhangte, and bipin, Petr Kratky’s Mumbai City FC started with a 4-3-3 system without any well-known players like Rahul Bheke, Alberto Noguera, or Jorge Pereyra Diaz.
In a 3-5-2 formation, Molina, on the other hand, had greater strength in the midfield, with Greg Stewart and Dimitri Petratos spearheading Mohun Bagan’s attack.
