FATORDA: FC Goa and Mumbai City FC were forced to accept a goalless draw in their 11th round battle of the Hero Indian Super League at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
The draw did not enhance either team’s chances of qualification to the semi-finals but with three matches still left to be played, neither team has been ruled out.
Mumbai City climbed to the second spot with 16 points while FC Goa climbed from the bottom to seventh with 11 points, one more than NorthEast United FC.
For the second successive game, FC Goa chief coach Zico started with several domestic players in his starting line-up.
Mumbai City FC used their entire quota of international players and enjoyed more of the ball in the first 45 minutes. With players like Sunil Chhetri and Diego Forlan to count upon, Mumbai City repeatedly threatened, although these were the only two players who looked like breaking the deadlock.
Forlan tested Kattimani on a couple of occasions and twice he proved equal to the challenge. In the 27th minute when Chhetri put Forlan clear just outside the box, the Uruguayan striker delayed his shot, allowing Kattimani a simple collection.
FC Goa relied on counter attacks and had a couple of chances. Romeo Fernandes, who struck the match winner in the previous game, came closest to scoring when he was sent through by Rafael Coelho but his attempt hit the side netting in the 14th minute. Romeo and Rafael combined to create another opportunity in the 22nd minute but once again Romeo could not keep his attempt on target.
In the second session, Mumbai City came close to scoring several times.
The best chance of the half came early in the game when Forlan beat Gregory Arnolin to the ball inside the danger area and set it up for Chhetri. The India captain shockingly missed his first attempt and his second shot hit a Goa defender before bouncing into the lap of Kattimani.
Even as Mumbai continued to put pressure, Chhetri then had a curling attempt saved by the keeper in the 83rd minute but it could have gone horribly wrong for the visitors had Goa’s Brazilian striker Julio Cesar given the finishing touches in the final minute when he had only the goalkeeper to beat from an excellent through ball.
