Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC share the spoils in Bambolim
Goa, January 25, 2021: Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC played out an eventful 1-1 draw at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Monday evening. A Bartholomew Ogbeche headed goal for MCFC was cancelled out by Isma Goncalves’ penalty for CFC in the second half. The result took Csaba Laszlo’s Chennaiyin up to fifth spot with 16 points from 14 games, while Mumbai extended their lead at the top of the table.
Laszlo introduced Germanpreet Singh and Jakub Sylvestr to the starting eleven, dropping Deepak Tangri and Rahim Ali to the bench. CFC began in the ascendancy as Lallianzuala Chhangte’s curling right-footed effort stung Amrinder Singh’s palms in the Mumbai goal. Minutes later Germanpreet Singh won the ball in midfield and teed up Isma, who nutmegged an opponent but scuffed his eventual shot that rolled into Amrinder’s grateful arms.
MCFC were passengers up to this point but managed to take the lead against the run of play. The ball found it’s way to Bipin Singh at the edge of the CFC box, whose inviting cross was headed into the CFC goal by Ogbeche, who had made a late run into the penalty area.
Despite falling a goal behind, Chennaiyin stuck to their guns and pressed Mumbai high up the pitch, pinching the ball off the likes of Ahmed Jahouh, Rowllin Borges and Raynier Fernandes on multiple instances. The final shot though couldn’t penetrate MCFC’s goal in the first half.
The second period continued in similar fashion, with both sides cancelling each other out in the midfield areas. Laszlo threw on Edwin Vanspaul for Germanpreet at the hour mark, but all the men in blue could create was a flurry of half-chances that didn’t bear fruition. CFC did threaten from corner kicks and set-pieces but MCFC were equal to the task.
Then with a little over 15 minutes to go in regulation time, Chennaiyin’s and particularly Sylvestr’s incessant pressing paid off, as the Slovakian forward managed to win a penalty kick. Mumbai’s insistence to play the ball out of the back saw Amrinder play it short to Jahouh, whose touch let him down as the onrushing Sylvestr managed to nick it off him and draw contact. The referee was left with no other option but to point to the spot.
Up stepped Isma, who sent Amrinder the wrong way and blasted home to the left to equalize. This was the Portuguese attacker’s fourth goal of the season, three of which have been penalties.
The goal provided momentum to Chennaiyin as the likes of Thoi, Reagan Singh and Chhangte bombed down the flanks and looked dangerous. Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev and Rahim Ali came on in the closing stages but were unable to find the elusive winner as both sides settled for a point apiece.
Chennaiyin FC are in action next on Sunday January 31st against Hyderabad FC at the Tilak Maidan.
RESULT: Chennaiyin FC 1 (Isma Goncalves 76’ (P)) drew with Mumbai City FC 1 (Bartholomew Ogbeche 21’)
