Ahmed Jahouh (30’ (P)) put Mumbai City FC in front in the first half but Mohamed Irshad (79’) equalised eleven minutes from time.
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NorthEast United FC displayed tremendous fighting spirit to produce an inspired second-half performance to secure a draw against Mumbai City FC at the PJN stadium in Margao, Goa on Tuesday. The scoreline at the end of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) match read 1-1. Ahmed Jahouh (30’ (P)) put Mumbai City FC in front in the first half but Mohamed Irshad (79’) equalised eleven minutes from time to earn a point for NorthEast United FC. Earlier, Mumbai started the match on a positive note, controlling possession and also dictating the tempo of the match well.
They created the first opening of the game in the 13th minute when Vikram Pratap Singh sent a looping header from a Mehtab Singh long ball over the goal. Three minutes later, the young striker came close again when he tried to flick a delivery from a Jahouh free-kick but saw it go wide. The Islanders then forced a brilliant save from Subhasish Roy Chowdhury as Jahouh’s free-kick found Mourtada Fall at the far post. The centre-back’s header from close range, however, was palmed away by the Highlanders goalkeeper in the 18th minute.
Vikram Singh continued to be a real menace for the NorthEast United FC backline, as he won a penalty for his team in the 28th minute. Jahouh stepped up and converted the spot kick calmly to put Mumbai City FC in front on the half-hour mark. Two minutes later, the Islanders almost doubled their lead when Cassio Gabriel made a dazzling run into the box from the left side leaving multiple defenders behind. His shot was pushed away to safety by Roy Chowdhury in the NorthEast United FC goal.
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Before the break, Mumbai City FC passed up another great opportunity to add a second goal. Brad Inmad, who was played in on goal thanks to a brilliant through ball from Gabriel, failed to keep his effort on target with the goalkeeper at his mercy. In the second half, Mumbai City FC were left to rue their missed opportunities.
NorthEast United FC started the second half brightly and had a chance to equalise in the 49th minute when Gurjinder Kumar sent a header that was just off target. The Highlanders were unlucky not to equalise when Suhair VP’s floated effort in the 56th minute came off the upright only for an alert Mumbai City FC defender to clear the rebound quickly. Khalid Jamil’s side were denied by the same post two minutes later.
Later in the half, Mumbai City FC only partially cleared a corner allowing it to fall to a NorthEast United FC player on the edge of the box. The player instead of shooting laid it off for substitute Irshad who was in space on the left-hand side and did well to bend his finish into the side netting and restore parity for NorthEast United FC.
As a result of the draw, Mumbai City FC are back into the top four just ahead of Chennaiyin FC on goal difference. The point lifts NorthEast United FC off the bottom of the table as they leapfrog SC East Bengal in the tenth position.
