Mumbai: Tackles, harsh challenges, missed chances, clear chances – all these seem like highlights of a high-scoring football match. All of it was true barring the goals. Goa – known for its football – has been disappointing in the Indian Super League (ISL) so far. But on Monday here at the DY Patil Stadium, it seemed that Zico indeed taught his boys tricks of the trade. They managed to hold hosts Muumbai City FC 0-0.
But the match was not devoid of drama and emotions. And needless to say, the missed chances. It could have actually been a goal fest had the players converted the clear chances.
Mumbai had their moment within five minutes when Nicolas Anelka dispossessed Gregory Arnolin to aim for the target, but it went into the stands.
However, the man who again created the difference between the two sides was Mumbai goalkeeper Subrata Paul. Even after colliding with wingers and forwards, going down between minutes due to pain, the custodian’s energy was ten times higher than usual in the dying minutes.
He kept Santos’ bullet out in the 90th minute before denying Romeo, whose left-footed shot, looked no less than work of art.
Andre Moritz – the Mumbai forward – had a good game too but for the crossbar. The Brazilian had been supplying lethal passes which kept Goa goalkeeper Jan Seda on his toes but unfortunately, in the 81st minute, he missed scoring by a whisker. The shot from 30 yards touched the bar.
Moritz also spoon-fed Lalrindika Ralte with a good through ball in the 41st minute but Seda rose to the challenge and denied the goal.
There seemed to be lack of chemistry between Anelka and Subhash Singh, it seemed that the Frenchman expected the Manipur boy to move around much more than he did. He was clearly not keeping up to Anelka’s sudden turns and controlled pace.
Subhash also missed a sitter in the 18th minute from a Moritz pass. He was clear but his shot went wide. There was disgust written all over coach Peter Reid’s face.
FC Goa had their chances ealy in the match too. Gabriel Fernandes challenged Subrata Paul in the 28th minute. The ground-kissed shot made life difficult for Paul for that couple of seconds. Tolgay Ozbey went wide off the post in the 41st minute.
Santos had another chance to win it for his team when Goa got a free kick within 25 metres but he hit the wall.
Gregory Arnolin, Pavel Cmovs and Mandar Rao Dessai were warned in the match.
After the draw, Mumbai are now in the fifth position with 12 points while Goa are in seventh with nine points.
