ISL 2018: ATK snaps Mumbai City FC's winning streak

Mumbai City FC kept a fourth successive clean sheet, against ATK, but its three-match winning streak came to an end with the stalemate at Mumbai Football Arena.

Published : Nov 24, 2018 22:15 IST , Mumbai

Sehnaj Singh tussles for a loose ball with Manuel Lanzarote.
Sehnaj Singh tussles for a loose ball with Manuel Lanzarote.
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Sehnaj Singh tussles for a loose ball with Manuel Lanzarote.

Mumbai City's lack of sharpness in front of goal and ATK's mere show of promise meant Saturday's fixture at Mumbai Football Arena ended in a goalless stalemate. It meant Mumbai City's three-match winning stream came to an end, the point keeping it in fourth place on the table.

As it happened

Gerson Viera’s header off a free-kick, matched by Rafael Bastos shot flying wide for the home team were the only times the goalkeepers were tested.

The visitor created an opportunity from a set-piece situation. Manuel Lanzarote floated the ball from the left from a dead-ball situation into the goalmouth, team-mate Gerson jumped up for a header but the ball lobbed over. Amrinder Singh scrambled across and arrived late. Rafael came close to scoring earlier, swinging his boot after cutting in from the left, but the ball flew wide off the striker’s outstep.

Mumbai-City-FC-vs-ATK

Forwards Balwant Singh, Everton Santos and defender Gerson are familiar faces at the venue, having donned the jersey in earlier seasons. It was the turn of ATK fans to cheer for them as the visitor probed the home defence. Amrinder was on his toes, blocking a free-kick from Manuel Lanzarote from far out, with Arindam Bhattacharya watching the wayward attempts sail wide.

Both the defences played a high line and restricted the space for midfielders to operate in. The match was played at a pedestrian pace. Komal Thatal blasted wide after gaining possession and with the rival goal in sight. The second half provided more action, starting with a body block by ATK defender Viera to deny Paulo Machado.

Mumbai-City-FC
 

Thatal was the first to be substituted and replaced by local player Jayesh Rane as the visitor coach Stephen Coppell went in search of attacking impetus. He then removed Balwant Singh for Hitesh Sharma. But neither his or Jorge Costa's substitutions altered the pace of the match nor created an opening. With this draw, ATK remains sixth with 11 points, both teams not taking the chance to move up the table.

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