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Robin Singh’s late equalizer salvaged a point for Bengaluru FC against Mumbai FC at the Shree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. Rahul Bheke had scored the first goal of the game in the 67th minute for the away side.
Mumbai FC came into this match after a 6-0 drubbing by Shillong Lajong in their last match. Ashley Westwood made 3 changes in the starting lineup from their 3-3 draw against Royal Wahingdoh last week. Keegan Pereira and Shankar Sampingiraj came back to the starting XI and Udanta Singh got his first I-League start.
The start of the game was not that impressive as the both the teams were struggling to keep the ball with the game being played out in midfield. In the 19th minute, Sean Rooney got the first real opportunity of the match, but his attempt was easily stopped by the Mumbai FC custodian.
Few minutes later Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri was brought down just outside the penalty box. Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s resultant free-kick was blocked inside the penalty box, but the away defenders failed to clear it. The ball fell to Rino Anto, whose meek attempt went wide.
Bengaluru FC went all guns blazing in the second half unleashing a series of strikes at the Mumbai FC goal. Sanjiban Ghosh was instrumental in stopping all the attempts.
Against the run of play in the 67th minute, Mumbai FC won a corner. John Coutinho took the corner which found an unmarked Rahul Bheke inside the box. Bheke’s header found the back of the net and gave the away side an undeserving lead.
Bengaluru mounted pressure on the away side as Mumbai were pinned back in their own half, defending for their lives. Robin Singh was brought on in the second half and he scored the important equalizing in the 88th minute. The home side were given a lifeline with that goal as they went looking for the winner in the final moments of the game.
Unfortunately, Bengaluru FC’s hero was sent off two minutes later owing to a rough elbowing on opponent defender Chika Wali. The match then petered out to a close without the winner as the two sides shared the spoils.
Owing to this draw and Royal Wahingdoh’s stalemate, Mohun Bagan have a chance of establishing a huge lead at the top of the table as they lead Bengaluru by 2 points with 3 matches in hand.
