I-League Media Team
GOA: Sporting Clube de Goa were forced to share the spoils with Mumbai FC as they settled for a 1-1 draw in a Hero I-League battle at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
Sporting Clube were at their dominant best and Mumbai FC failed to register even a single shot on goal, but the hosts had themselves to blame as Clemente Joseph’s own goal in the 61st minute cancelled Alber Gonsalves’s 13th minute goal.
The result was harsh on Sporting Clube who continue to be at the bottom of the pool with 11 points and five matches to be played. Mumbai FC are mid-table with 15 points and enjoy a clear four point advantage over Sporting Clube.
Needing a win to keep their hopes of surviving relegation alone, Sporting Clube showed real intent at the start and surged ahead with the match was hardly a dozen minute old. Velito Cruz floated a measured pass into the Mumbai FC goalmouth where Alber did splendindly well to head home the cross.
Sporting Clube could have scored the insurance goal just after the half hour mark but a brilliant move initiated by Brandon Fernandes saw Anthony Wolfe pitch the ball for Cajetan Fernandes whose rasping drive was parried away to safety by Mumbai FC goalkeeper Nidhin Lal.
Mumbai FC found a way back into the match, thanks to some help from Sporting Clube. A harmless freekick from Amoes saw Clemente nod the ball into his own goal.
Sporting took the setback in their stride and tried to find the elusive winner. Brandon’s header was tipped away by the goalkeeper, another attempt landed safely into his hands. Then Victorino Fernandes harassed the rival defenders but however hard Sporting Clube tried, they could not find a way past the stubborn Mumbai FC defence.
The clearest chance fell 10 minutes before the final whistle when Victorino worked his way past the Mumbai defence on the left and essayed the ball into the heart of Mumbai’s defence, where, to everyone’s horror, Wolfe’s header sailed inches over the bar.
Sporting’s defence had a rest day as Mumbai FC stayed back in their own half. Josimar da Silva had little to do, while Mohammad Rafi could do nothing as well.
