Mumbai City FC and ATK played out a goalless draw at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday. It was a tactical match with both teams denying their opponents any space to work with in the final third. Neither team managed to create too many clear cut chances over the course of the 90 minutes.

The stalemate also ended Mumbai’s three-match winning streak. Mumbai stay in the fourth spot in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 table with 14 points from eight matches, while ATK are currently placed sixth with 11 points from the same number of outings.

  • Mumbai’s Rafael Bastos got the best chance of the match on the 52nd minute.
  • Gerson Vieira had the best opportunity for ATK from a Manuel Lanzarote free kick.
  • This was the second goalless draw of the season.

Both teams made a tentative start to the match and most of the play was restricted to the midfield in the opening minutes. Sehnaj Singh attempted an early long ranger which didn't quite test Arindam Bhattacharja in the ATK goal.

The match, however, opened up after the tenth minute, with both sides showing more ambition in the final third. Mumbai kept most of the possession, but ATK looked dangerous on the counter and almost made one count on the 13th minute. Everton Santos made a strong run down the right and cut the ball back for Komal Thatal. The youngster rushed his shot and scuffed his effort.

The home team's best chance in the opening 45 minutes came from a corner kick on the 37th minute. The set piece was flicked on by Anwar Ali towards an unmarked Subhasish Bose inside the ATK box. But the defender skied his shot.

It stayed goalless till the referee blew the half-time whistle.

Mumbai started strong in the second-half and enjoyed some good phases of possession. Rafael Bastos set up Paulo Machado, but Gerson Vieira was brave to get in the way of the Portuguese midfielder's cracking volley.

Minutes later, Bastos created space for himself inside the ATK box, but his shot went well over the crossbar.

ATK were pegged back and made very few forward forays. However, on the 64th minute, the visitors got a golden opportunity to take the lead through a set piece. Manuel Lanzarote found Vieira with a free-kick but the Brazilian's header was off target.

Mumbai dominated the play but the ATK defence kept it tight, allowing the home team very few open chances. The first real test for ATK goalkeeper Arindam came on the 76th minute. Subhasish got hold of the ball 30 yards from goal and put his laces through it. His shot had pace but was too close to Arindam, who managed to tip it over the bar.

Mumbai piled on the pressure in search of the late winner, but the ATK defence kept their shape and saw off the danger till the final whistle.

HERO OF THE MATCH - Subhasish Bose

Subhasish Bose worked hard in Mumbai’s defence and ventured forward every opportunity he got. Despite being a defender, he was a constant threat in the opposition half and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

CLUB AWARDS 

Club Award – Mumbai City FC and ATK

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Ricky Lallawmawma

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Gerson Vieira

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Komal Thatal

Hero of the Match – Subhasish Bose

WHAT’S NEXT?

ATK’s next assignment will be at home in Kolkata when they host FC Goa on November 28. Mumbai, on the other hand, will be on the road to play against Delhi Dynamos FC on December 3.

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Mumbai City FC 2018-2019Match Report