Djelaluddin Shariyar’s goaline save in the 82nd minute allowed Mumbai FC (MFC) walk away with a hard-fought goalless draw in its Hero I-League home match against an aggressive Bengaluru FC (BFC).
The Afghan defender blocked an effort by Sunil Chhetri from near the left post. Daniel Lalhlimpuia fired wide with an empty goal in front after goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani charged out to deal with a long pass and looked on helplessly.
Bengaluru created chances in the second half but was forced to share points after the players in striking position were not successful in finishing off moves. C.K. Vineeth, coming on as substitute after half-time, got past defenders and went on to shoot wide.
Kattimani came under pressure in the first half when Udanta Singh raced away from his own half, followed a clearance, and found Allwyn George in position. The latter’s attempt was blocked.
The Mumbai goalkeeper continued his form from the previous game against Mohun Bagan, leaping up to tip away Sandesh Jhingan’s header off a corner kick.
Bengaluru kept the defensive formation in the face of probing by the home side, denying space through the middle and forcing Mumbai to attempt raids down the flanks. Farukh Choudhary connected off one such attack from the right, Reagaan Singh’s floater resulting in the ball clearing the defence, but the try was blocked.
Bengaluru, now in fourth after its fourth draw in nine games, was denied a clear shot at target in the first half and chose to control the flow of moves in its own half and turned on the heat in the second after Vineeth and Eugenson Lyngdoh came on as substitutes.
Chhetri was closely marked right through till he turned around his marker to shoot past Kattimani. The roar went up for a goal, only for the Afghan defender to dash across and clear.
Mumbai’s second draw in 10 games took it to the eighth spot, above Minerva Punjab and Churchill Brothers.
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