Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal highlights, MCFC 0-0 EBFC, ISL 2023-24: Resolute defending earns point for Red and Gold

Both teams share points as the match finished in a 0-0 draw. It was a resolute performance by the East Bengal defence. 

Nishu heads the ball straight in the path of Diaz, but the ball would not sit down for him. East Bengal clears but the danger is not over. El-Khayati sends in a cross from the left but Gill does well to catch the ball. 

East Bengal launches a counter attack. Nandha gets in a good position and goes for a shot at goal, but Tiri gets a crucial block. 

Eight minutes added at the end of the second-half. 

Cleiton Silva has a problem and the medical team is on the pitch. It looks like a hamstring issue. 

Cleiton Silva gets a sight at goal and gets a shot away. It is not the strongest of efforts and Phurba collects the ball without fuss. It is East Bengal’s first shot on target in the match. 

MCFC sub: IN- Vikram OUT- Vikram

EBFC sub: IN- Siverio OUT- Borja

MCFC sub: IN- El-Khayati OUT- Stewart 

Mumbai mounting on the pressure as it is Apuia this time, who forces a save from Gill. He goes for a long distance shot but it is straight at Gill, who holds on to the ball. 

Chhangte sends in a cross inside the East Bengal box, intended for Greg Stewart. But Gill does well to come off his line and collect the ball. 

EBFC booking: Gill sees a yellow card for time-wasting. He took too long to take the goalkick. 

Mumbai works out a good corner, allowing Bipin to siwng in a cross at the far-post. Griffiths gets the ball and gets a shot away but Gill makes an excellent save. 

Nandha does well to thread a pass to Cleiton, who had made a clever run into the Mumbai box. Once he gets the ball, the Brazilian goes for a shot, but it is blocked and East Bengal gets a corner. 

MCFC subs: In- Griffiths, Vinit, Chhangte OUT- Nieff, Rane, Mehtab

Mishra does well to bring down the ball form Apuia’s cross and he would have gone for the shot, but Nishu Kumar does well to acrobatically clear the ball. 

Mumbai City FC comes close to taking the lead as Jayesh Rane’s first time shot from the edge of the box fizzes above the crossbar. 

It has been a disciplined performance at the back for East Bengal till now. Mumbai City has attacked in numbers on occasions but the Red and Gold backline have maintained clear communication to mop up the danger. 

East Bengal with a good counter to put the Mumbai defence under pressure, but it ends unceremoniously as Nishu sends the ball out of play. He had all the time and space to cross from the right, but it is a disappointing ball. 

EBFC sub: IN- Nandhakumar OUT- Vishnu

The scores are level at 0-0 as the second-half is underway the Mumbai Football Arena. 

A feisty half of football comes to an end and the match is goalless at the break. 

Three minutes added at the end of the first-half. 

MCFC booking: Yoell Van Nieff becomes the latest player to see a yellow card. It is the fifth of the match till now. 

Mishra and Gill clash as both go for the ball. Mishra seems fine but Gill has taken a bad fall. That is a foul but Mishra had no malicious intent. 

The match seems balanced at the moment. Mumbai City is playing the more eye-catching football but East Bengal is not just sitting back and trying to threads its own attacking moves as well. 

Mumbai City is dominating possession at the moment with 67% of the ball compared to East Bengal’s 33%. 

East Bengal stitches a good attacking move, which ends with Borja shooting at goal from the edge of the box. The shot has power but lacks direction as it sails above the crossbar. 

The match halts for a drinks break. The first 30 minutes have passed in a jiffy. 

Cleiton sends in a cross inside the Mumbai box from an EBFC freekick. Borja tries to control the ball with a flick but ends up sending the ball straight to Phurba. 

It is another late challenge by Souvik on Stewart and the East Bengal player is lucky to escape with just a telling off. He is already on a yellow card and that was a silly foul to concede. 

Cleiton sends in a floating cross to Saul from an EBFC corner and the latter goes for a first-time volley. But the Spaniard miscues it horribly and the ball goes out for a goalkick. 

EBFC booking: Souvik of EBFC sees a yellow card for a late challenge on Stewart. He protests the decision but it is a clear yellow. 

Mishra crosses low inside the East Bengal box and the Red and Gold defence cannot clear the lines immediately. Both Diaz and Bipin had a chance to get a shot away, but the clearance finally comes. 

MCFC booking: Tiri lashes out at Cleiton after the latter’s foul and on another day, he could have see a red card. But he escapes with just a yellow. 

EBFC booking: Cleiton catches Tiri late and he will get a yellow card. 

Bipin’s cross to the near-post almost finds Pereyra Diaz, but the Argentinian cannot get a touch as Gill collects the ball. 

Rane takes a tumble at the edge of tbe East Bengal area but it is not a foul. None of the Mumbai players appealed and the match goes on. 

Pereyra Diaz pings in a wonderful cross from the right. Jayesh Rane does well to rise above Lalchungnunga to get his header away, but cannot keep his effort down to trouble Gill. That was an early chance. 

As expected, Mumbai City FC is enjoying all the early possession. East Bengal players are back in their own half defending in numbers. 

The ISL 2023-24 match between Mumbai City FC and East Bengal is underway at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai.

Petr Kratky, Mumbai City head coach: “We want to play attractive football and win games. We need to bring people to the stadium. For that we need to perform, we need to win and we need to play attractive football, football that people enjoy.”

Carles Cuadrat, East Bengal head coach: “They [Mumbai City FC] are a very good team and won the ISL League Shield in the 2022–23 season, and they have a lot of records and also have very good experience in the AFC Champions League.”

MCFC: Phurba(GK); Mehtab, Tiri, Bheke; Mishra, Van, Ralte, Boris, Rane, Stewart; Diaz

EB: Gill(GK); Mandar, Maher, Lalchungnunga, Nishu, Borja, Saul, Souvik; Vishnu, Cleiton, Mahesh 

Played – 6

Mumbai City FC – 4

East Bengal FC – 1

Draws – 1

It’s been a week since Petr Kratky took over as the head coach of Mumbai City FC and under his guidance the Islanders played out a goalless draw against FC Goa.

The Czech-Australian’s first Indian Super League home game at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday, against East Bengal FC, will be another attempt to solidify its standing. 

Currently placed fourth on the table with 15 points, Mumbai City FC hopes to keep the momentum going against East Bengal, which sits in the eighth spot.

Read full preview ​HERE​

When and where will the Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal ISL 2023-24 match kick-off?

The Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal ISL 2023-24 match will kick-off at 8 PM IST on Saturday, December 16 at the Mumbai Football Arena. 

How can you watch the Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal ISL 2023-24 match?

The Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal ISL 2023-24 match will be live telecasted on the Sports18 1 Channel (TV). The game can also be live streamed on the JioCinema app and website (online). 

The game will be livestreamed on OneFootball for those watching from outside India.