Mumbai City FC’s attacking trio drew a blank in front of goal despite being the better side for large spells against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. The game ended in a fairly engaging 0-0 draw with Mumbai missing a chance to climb to the top of the table.
Goa once again sat back in the early stages of the game and there were encouraging signs for Mumbai when Sunil Chhetri’s strike from just inside the the box landed straight into keeper Laxmikant Kattimani’s hands.
With Romeo Fernandes, the Goans had more energy to burn and the local boy almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after being played through on goal by Rafael Coelho. Fernandes’ shot hit the side netting.
There were sporadic attacks from the Gaurs but with Lucian Goian shielding the Mumbai goal, threat from the home side was snuffed out during the build-up.
Diego Forlan came close to putting his side in the lead with a minute left for the half-time whistle with a long-range effort. Kattimani timed his jump to perfection to tip the ball over the bar.
In the second half, it was the Uruguayan who created the best chance of the game, outmuscling Gregory Arnolin near the by-line and laying it up for Chhetri, who missed the ball just as he lined up to take the shot. The Indian legend’s second attempt was calmly dealt with by the Goan backline.
There were more near-misses as the clock ran down to full time. Forlan made a clever run and managed to roll the ball past Kattimani and towards the goal but Arnolin got back in time to easily stop the ball from rolling in. With seven minutes left, Chhetri made amends by creating a chance out of nowhere, cutting past two defenders on his left and shooting across the face of goal. Kattimani showed good agility to push the ball away off his left.
However, it was Amrinder Singh who made the most decisive save of the match, stopping Cesar’s shot from point-blank range, deep into stoppage time as Goa finished the game in a frenzied flourish.
Brief score:
FC Goa 0 draw with FC Mumbai City 0