New Delhi: The SC East Bengal and Mumbai FC teams shared a draw as they failed to score in the Indian Super League at Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa, on Friday. SC East Bengal successfully held the defending champions Mumbai FC from scoring throughout the event.
Though Mumbai FC striker Igor Angulo managed a header in the 9th minute, the ball failed to surpass the East Bengal goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
Despite Daniel Chima Chukwu’s attempts of threatening the Mumbai FC goal, his close-range shot went astray. Bengal suffered an early setback after footballer Ankit Mukherjee replaced the injured Joyner Lourenco.
Mumbai was denied a penalty in the 23rd minute when Bengal’s winger Bikash Jairu tried thwarting Mumbai midfielder Raynier Fernandes’ cross and landed the ball in his box.
Both teams struggled to create scoring chances in the first half. Though FC possessed the ball, the East Bengal tactfully snatched, stopped, or saved the scores.
The second half began with Jairu substituted by Mohammad Rafique. The referees denied another penalty by Mumbai when Bengal’s Adil Khaan fouled Mumbai’s Cassio Gabriel, who almost immediately made a long-range dive towards the goal but in vain. Bhattacharya saved the goal and stopped his opponents from scoring throughout the match.
None of the teams scored despite fair chances and landed in a goalless draw. Mumbai retains its top position as Bengal stands last in the ISL rankings.
(Avya Mathur)
