I-League: Mohun Bagan drop points in goalless draw with Mumbai FC

Mumbai: Mohun Bagan consolidated their position on the second place in the I-League table while, Mumbai FC inched one point away from the relegation zone, as the two sides played out a stalemate at the Cooperage stadium, in Mumbai, on Wednesday.

The main talking point of the game however, was the goal that never was, by Thoi Singh.

The 26-year-old fired it in from outside the box, as a deflection helped deceive Mohun Bagan keeper Debjit Majumder.

The Cooperage erupted into celebration when this goal was scored, but the referee soon ruled it offside.

“It was two points lost (for Mumbai FC),” said Mumbai FC manager Santosh Kashyap. “I believe we could have killed the game off in the first half itself, and if we could have scored one goal, (it could have been) three or four.”

Refreshed with the presence of Brazilian strikers Alex Willian Silva and Anderson Raimundo Da Silva, the home side looked to dominate proceedings, with the former pulling the strings from just behind his compatriot.

Debjit had another fine day between tr sticks for the Mariners, as he constantly kept thwarting the Mumbai attacks.

Mohun Bagan boss Sanjoy Sen praised the custodian for his consistency for the Kolkata side.

“The last three years he's been outstanding. I always say that when the defenders fail or fumble, it is the duty of the goalkeeper,” said Sen. “And he is doing it excellently.”

Mohun Bagan piled on the pressure in the second half, as Sen brought on the likes of Balwant Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua, switching from the neutral 4-4-2 to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation.

However, the game fizzled out towards the end, as both the sides settled for the stalemate.

A draw would suit Mohun Bagan at this stage of the season, as the Mariners have entered a phase when they have to play four matches, in all competitions, in the space of 10 days.

“If Mumbai FC would have scored in the first half we would have lost three points,” said Sen. “We also failed to score many chances. But that's ok. One point is also very important in the league.”

Also, Bagan’s main title rivals all drew their respective matches, earlier on Wednesday; Shillong Lajong drew at East Bengal and Bengaluru FC drew at Aizawl FC, both the matches ending with a scoreline of 1-1.

However, the home side may have come off from this match feeling that they deserved more than just one point.

Mumbai FC gaffer Kashyap summed-up the mood in the Mumbaikars’ camp perfectly: “I am suffering every match. Either the Lalong match, or the East Bengal match, or last match, and now here also. I don't know when this will stop. Bad luck. Aur kya bol sakte hain? (What else can we say).”