Lucky Mumbai FC snatch a point

MARGAO: Mumbai FC will count themselves fortunate to have walked away with a point from the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday.
Hardly creating a chance, sitting in their own half and, at times, resorting to negative tactics like tugging at a player's shirt which hardly earned them a reprimand from the referee, Mumbai FC still had the last laugh in their battle for survival against Sporting Clube de Goa.
Their 1-1 draw against Sporting Clube was fortunate to say the least; going down to an early 12th goal through Alber Gonsalves and then, despite doing nothing, clawing their way back when Sporting Clube defender Clemente Joseph headed a harmless ball into his own goal.
With just five games left to be played, the draw left Sporting Clube rooted to the bottom of the table with 11 points, while Mumbai FC are now mid-table, and the four point cushion over the bottom-placed side will hold them in good stead.
It was clear Mumbai FC did not want to lose this one; certainly not against a side that is clearly their main rival to save the drop. But Sporting Clube showed real intent right from the start and did not let the sixth-minute injury to Nigerian striker Odafa Okolie – a hamstring that was damaged earlier in training – to disturb them.
Twelve minutes into the game and Sporting had their noses in front and provided the first real glimpse that they were on their way up. A cross from Velito Cruz, who had replaced Odafa, saw a young Alber outsmart his marker and catch goalkeeper Nidhin Lal by surprise with a header.
Just after the half-hour mark, Nidhin Lal was tested again but this time he was alert to the danger when Cajetan Fernandes let go a rasping drive from just outside the box.
Even in the second session, Mumbai FC hardly made Sporting defenders or goalkeeper Ravi Kumar sweat. But then, in a stroke of luck, they were back into the game when Sporting defender Clemente headed an innocuous looking freekick from Amoes into his own goal in the 61st minute.
Sporting introduced their best attacking players – Victorino Fernandes and Mahmoud Al Amna – to pile pressure, and the duo combined effectively to create a plethora of chances. Brandon Fernandes had two chances which were blocked by the goalkeeper, while Victorino's daring runs on the left flank were a treat to the eye. Even when Mahmoud released him on the left and he cut his way inside the danger zone, it seemed Sporting were only seconds away from grabbing the lead again. That, of course, did not happen as Victorino, Mahmoud and Wolfe all missed from handshaking distance.
It was, like Sporting coach Mathew D'Costa said at the post match briefing, "the same old story."