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PANJIM: Mumbai City FC dropped points against 10-man Jamshedpur FC following their 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League, at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Monday.
JFC took the lead as early as ninth minute through Nerijus Valskis while Mumbai City restored parity in the 15th minute through Bartholomew Ogbeche. Aitor Monroy was sent for Jamshedpur FC for his second booking which saw their side play for more than an hour with a man down.
An early mistake from Mumbai’s Bartholomew Ogbeche allowed Jamshedpur take the lead. Ogbeche played a back pass which was intercepted by Jackichand Singh, who rand down the box and squared the ball to Valskis. The last name scored in the bottom corner to give his side a dream start.
But the joy was short-lived as JFC conceded in the 15th minute. Adam Le Fondre got towards the corner flag on the left and then cut it back for Bipin Singh in the box. The latter took a touch and showed his composure as he laid it up for Ogbeche who sent the ball at the back of the net, to make amend to his earlier mess.
Just when JFC were seen getting back into the play, they were handed a major blow when Monroy was sent off for his second bookable offence on Ogbeche.
Mumbai City took control of the game but they couldn’t keep their composure infornt of the goal. Mourtada Fall and Ogbeche missed couple of chances before the breather, not forgetting JFC’s TP Rehenesh’s brilliance to keep his side in the game.
The second half picked up where the first had left off with Sergio Lobera’s men giving everything in their bid to find a winner. They missed a golden opportunity in the 61st minute when a blocked Ogbeche shot trickled down to Rowllin Borges. The midfielder had the goal gaping in front but somehow managed to hoof it over the bar.
Jamshedpur were doing a lot more than just defending. Valskis thought he had given them an unlikely lead in the 79th minute, only for the referee to raise his flag. At the other end, Rehenesh produced a terrific double-save in the 83rd minute to keep his side in the game, first blocking a stinging volley from Le Fondre and then pushing away the rebound to prevent the onrushing Ogbeche from bundling it in.
Ogbeche then missed a clear-cut chance to put his team ahead in injury time, failing to divert a free header from close range into goal.
