Goa :SC East Bengal put up a show as they held reigning champions Mumbai City FC to a 0-0 draw in the 2021-22 Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium. The draw allowed the Islanders to reclaim the first place in the points table. However, their winless streak extends to four matches while SCEB is now 10 games without a win.
Igor Angulo first tested the goalkeeper but his header was comfortably saved by Arindam Bhattacharja. Daniel Chima Chukwu then threatened infront of the goal on the other end but his attempt from quite close-range went narrowly past the right side of the goal. SCEB dealt with an early blow due to injury to Joyner Lourenco who then had to be replaced by Ankit Mukherjee.
Neither teams could create major scoring chances in the first half. The Islanders dominated the possession but still found it tough to squeeze spaces behind SCEB’s resilient backline. Due to the resilient defending from the Red & Golds Brigade, both teams walked into the halftime break with a 0-0 scoreline.
Mohammad Rafique came in the second half as a replacement of Bikash Jairu. A few minutes from restart, ardent calls for a penalty from the Mumbai players were denied by the referee as supposed Adil Khaan allegedly brought down Cassio Gabriel inside the box. Soon afterwards the Brazilian blasted a long ranger which was adeptly parried away by Bhattacharja.
Vinit Rai made his MCFC debut in this match as Des Buckingham put him alongside Ygor Catatau to bring more energy on the pitch. For the final few minutes of the match SCEB guarded their backline with much more determination. This frustrated the Islanders who failed to createmeaningful scoring chances. After the final whistle, both teams had to settle for a point each following a goalless draw.
Mumbai City FC will next face Bengaluru FC at the PJN Stadium on Monday while SC East Bengal is to clash with in form Jamshedpur FC at the Athletic Stadium.
