ISL 2: Antonio German’s dying minute heroics drowns Mumbai's hopes

Mumbai: “Everybody is worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there is a really easy way, stop participating in it,” said Noam Chomsky, the renowned American philosopher. Seven years after the brutal terror attacks on the Maximum City, there were no whispers or tightened security in the DY Patil Stadium premises here – hosts to the Indian Super League (ISL). The populace returned after a brilliant display of football by Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC (1-1).

Guns and bullets found a new designation on the sinewy footwork of the players – across the universe – in the last league match of the tournament. For Mumbai, it was a do-or-die situation and a draw made their chances to qualify to the next round bleak. Kerala, playing for pride, had nothing to lose.

However, Subhash Singh’s hunger to draw first blood won Mumbai a corner. Juan Aguilera opened the account for the home team in the 25th minute. Sony Norde’s corner-kick, initially kept out by Sandip Nandy, kissed Aguilera’s foot resulting in the ball barging into the back of the net.

After the departure of Oscar Bruzon, the assistant coach, lot had been said about rifts within the Mumbai unit. They even surrendered 0-7 and 0-2 to FC Goa and NorthEast United FC. Head coach cum player Nicolas Anelka did not don the player jersey tonight. He sat out monitoring his trump cards.

Kerala, after a series of chances in the first half managed to break the deadlock in the dying minutes.

Earlier, in the 34th minute, Josue Currais’ through-ball to Chris Dagnal had Mumbai defense in tatters. But the ball’s geometry – with only a critical angle available – denied Kerala the equaliser. Pavel Cmovs had a good day at the office clearing most of the possibilities.

Mumbai custodian Subrata Paul received a yellow card in the 41st minute, a poor decision from the referee. Joao Coimbra won the ball, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai went down under pressure and a collision around the box forced the referee to foul Fanai as well.

Paul had to be taken out in the second half, replaced by Debjit Majumder. Nonetheless what looked like Mumbai’s game changed course towards the end of the whistle.

Deepak Mandal’s poor cross in the 88th minute, intercepted by Subhash accidentally reached Antonio German and he made no mistake.

The last minute goal charged Kerala up and they kept looking for the winner in the final seconds. German kept looking for openings. Bruno Perone wasted a golden opportunity when he slammed German’s ball over the bar.

In the meanwhile,  Frederic Piquionne – brought in the second half – teamed up with Sunil Chhetri and Aitor Fernandez to turn the tide.

The trio tested Sandesh Jhingan and Nandy when Cristian Bustos made a run into the box. Few seconds before, Piquionne’s shot was blocked by Jhingan.

The match reached the crescendo in the 94th minute – the added minutes – when Perone found the net but ruled out. Dagnall was offside in the linesman’s books with Fanai playing onside.

Both the teams still have a chance to qualify for the next round, depending on the goals conceded and the results of the remaining league matches.

Stopwatch:

MCFC vs KBFC (1-1)

MCFC goal scorers: Juan Aguilera (25’)

KBFC goal scorers: Antonio German (89’)

Yellow Cards: MCFC: Subrata Paul (41’) and Pavel Cmovs (61’)

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