Mumbai City climbed into the top four for the time being, despite drawing their Tuesday night match against NorthEast United at the Fatorda. However, the stalemate means Des Buckingham’s men are without a win in six.
Mumbai are back in the top four of the Indian Super League for the time being; the one point they received following their draw against a struggling NorthEast United was enough to take them above Chennaiyin on goal difference.
However, the 1-1 draw also meant that Mumbai’s winless run is now up to six games: the champions last won a game in mid-December when they beat Chennaiyin 1-0.
Despite their recent struggles, Mumbai City started the game stronger of the two sides. A clear tactical plan from the champions was observable in the early minutes of the first half: Vikram Pratap Singh, using his lightning pace, would get in behind the NorthEast defenсe while his teammates supplied him with crosses.
The 20-year-old nearly got on the end of a lofted pass by Brad Inman in the fifth minute; he did connect with a long pass from Mehtab Singh in the 13th minute only to head the ball over the bar.
Mumbai’s plan bore fruit when, in the 29th minute, Vikram was brought down inside the box by Mashoor Shereef as he raced onto a through ball from Cassinho. Replays showed the youngster kicked the back of Shereef’s foot before falling over, but the decision stood, and Ahmed Jahouh scored from the spot to give the Islanders the lead.
Des Buckingham’s men finished the half firmly on top and could’ve gone further in front, but Subhasish Chowdhury saved from Cassinho before Inman – upon being released by the Brazilian with a perfectly weighted pass – shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.
United grew into the game in the second half and, in the space of two minutes, VP Suhair rattled the post while Marcelinho struck the bar. The Highlanders’ persistence paid off in the 79th minute when the ball fell to Mohammed Irshad following a corner, and the midfielder’s swing of the boot took it past Mohammad Nawaz.
At the other end, close to the end of the match, Subasish made a stunning point-blank save from Cassinho to keep the scores level. To make matters worse for the defending champions, Amey Ranawade picked up a late second booking, which meant they would finish the game with ten men – and level on scores.
