I-League Media Team
Mumbai: Mumbai Head Coach Oscar Bruzon knew the implications of the result the previous evening where Churchill Brothers secured a victory over Chennai City FC to mathematically confirm Mumbai FC’s relegation status.
Oscar Bruzon fielded an all-Indian lineup with Siam Hanghal returning to the starting eleven after two months. Pratesh Shirodkar, Nikhil Kadam and Shilton Silva also returned after lengthy absences. Shillong Head coach Thangboi Singto fielded seven U-22 players in the starting eleven, an indicator about the club’s philosophy about developing youth and local players.
Two minutes into the match, Farukh Choudhury laid up Victorino Fernandes who came up with a peach of a strike to put Mumbai 1-0 up. It was only Mumbai's second goal at Cooperage all season, and it lifted the mood in the stands, which had been forlorn for the majority of the season.
Mumbai FC played with a flat 4-4-2, their gameplay flowing mostly through the middle. On the other hand, Shillong attempted to counter Mumbai’s dominance through the middle by attacking through the wings. Shillong carved a great chance when Yuta Kinowaki struck his half-volley over the crossbar.
It looked an interesting strategy by Oscar Bruzon, as he had set up Mumbai to play a counter attacking game, since they had speed on their side. Shillong occasionally lacked sharpness, and Mumbai made full use of the ceded possession.
By the time the second half began, the battle lines were drawn. Shillong, who lacked energy in the first half came out all guns blazing at the restart. Yuta Kinawaki, who seemed the man capable of outsmarting the Mumbai defence struck the crossbar, leaving keeper Laxmikant Kattimani lucky to not pick the ball out of his net.
Mumbai forced a chance of their own when Siam Hanghal’s shot from distance being well saved. It was commendable to note that Mumbai FC did not sit back to defend their narrow lead, their openness
allowing both sides to create chances, making the game attractive to the neutral spectator, but jittery for the ultras.
Mumbai FC switched to a 4-3- 3 attacking formation for the second half, and a 4-5- 1 during their transition to defence. Shillong created panic in the Mumbai half during ten fast minutes as they lobbed ball after ball into the Mumbai penalty box, but the Mumbai defence led by Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Pratik Chowdhury remained firm and stable.
As the clock ticked 90 minutes, Yuta Kinawaki who had tormented Mumbai for so long managed to find an inch of space to slot an unstoppable shot past Kattimani. Hammer blow for Mumbai and points redeemed for Shillong. With this draw, Mumbai FC’s chance to appear in the Hero Federation Cup fades away.
