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Mumbai City FC rose from the dead as they restricted Kerala Blasters to a 1-1 draw in Sunday's crunch ISL encounter. Kerala began the match with intent and hunger.
However, their purpose vanished in the second half and the visitors made the most of it with a fine team goal. Here are the major talking points from tonight's exciting match up!
#1 Kerala finally join the party
Two matches, two goalless draws, things were getting extremely frustrating for the team from God's own country. Simply put, Kerala were tepid and lacked inspiration in their opening two games.
Tonight against Mumbai, the Blasters played the game on the front foot from the get-go and pegged back their opponents deep into their own half. Kerala were adventurous going forward and consistently created inroads, deep in Mumbai's half.
They were duly rewarded for their positive approach as newcomer Mark Sifneos finished off a splendid team move and put his side's demons to bed. For the first time this season, the Blasters displayed hunger and clarity.
#2 Abinash Ruidas exposed as a left wing back
Since their very first game, Mumbai City FC coach, Alexandre Guimarães has consistently played his players out of position. Midfielders operating as defenders and defenders playing in the middle of the park, the Costa Rican has attempted to completely change the way Mumbai play this season.
However, this completely backfired tonight. Abinash Ruidas played as a left wingback and was thoroughly exposed. Kerala's players took turns to unnerve him and caught him napping on multiple occasions. They double-teamed him and he was caught in no mans' land for large parts of the first half. He was also guilty of ball watching when he let full-back, Rino Anto whip in the assist for Kerala's opener.
#3 Dimitar Berbatov thrives in free role
It's safe to say, Kerala's fans expected a lot more from Dimitar Berbatov in his first two matches. The Bulgarian was virtually invisible in their opening two games. However tonight, the former Manchester United man showed why he is still world class.
Against Mumbai, he operated more as a deep-lying playmaker and thoroughly thrived in this position. He let Vineeth and Jackichand venture forward and played a huge role in Kerala's first goal. It was interesting to watch Berbatov in his new role.
He looked much more at ease pulling the strings from the middle of the park. The Bulgarian displayed vision, calmness and sharpness tonight.
#4 Kerala pay the price for not killing off the game
Up 1-0 after a splendid team goal, Kerala Blasters had everything going for them. They were defending well, playing some slick football and had successfully managed to restrict Mumbai deep into their own half.
However, like it happens so often, the team that fails to kill off the game ends up paying a heavy price for it. Kerala failed to put the game to bed and were punished by Mumbai for their complacency.
Playing at home, the Blasters ought to have been far more aggressive after taking the lead. Instead, they slowed down their tempo. Mumbai sensed the decline and took great advantage of it.
#5 Balwant Singh keeps Mumbai afloat with vital goal
Had Mumbai lost tonight, it would have been their third in four games which would not have been a great position to be in so early in the tournament. Mumbai weren't great tonight. Far from it. They were pedestrian for large parts of the match and lacked the creativity to trouble Kerala.
However, in Balwant Singh, Mumbai City have a striker who sniffs a goal from two miles away. When his side broke on the counter, he was positioned on the halfway line. Singh ran the distance and was duly rewarded for his efforts.
He scored a typical striker's goal and instilled faith in Mumbai's faithful. This side refuses to throw in the towel, a trait that could help them deep into the competition.
