Mumbai FC and Sporting Clube de Goa play out a 0-0 draw

Action from the first match at the refurbished Cooperage Stadium

Mumbai FC holds Sporting Clube de Goa for dull 0-0 draw at the Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai. Both the teams preferred to play safe football, which resulted in a boring game. The result kept both the teams at the bottom half of the Hero I-league table.

Top tier Indian football came back to the Cooperage stadium after almost 4 years. Mumbai FC hosted Sporting Clube de Goa at the newly refurbished stadium in Mumbai.

Sandesh Jhingan and Miguel Garcia made their debuts for the Goan club. Upcoming Indian striker Brandon Fernandes too featured in the starting lineup of sporting Clube de Goa.

Lack of imagination from both sides

Both the teams shared almost equal possession in the first half. Mumbai FC got an early opportunity when Mohammad Rafi flicked cross coming from the left flank, but the ball went past Taisuke Matsugae.

Around the 13th minute mark, the hosts won a free-kick 30 yards away from the goal. Cleatus Paul swerved a brilliant shot which was well saved by Ravi Kumar.

Sporting made their first change in just the 23rd minute. Brendan Fernandes’ appearance was short-lived due to an injury. Victorino Fernandes replaced injured Brendan. Anthony Wolfe operated from the right side.

The first half ended on a dull note as neither of the sides could create proper goal scoring opportunity. The defense of both the sides was compact and did not give a single opportunity to the opponent attackers.

Sporting Clube de Goa showed more urge and enthusiasm in the second half. The attacked vigorously, but failed to score goals.

Mumbai FC’s Josimar failed to grab eyeballs. He remained ineffective almost throughout the game. The only threat on Sporting’s defense was Mumbai FC’s Japanese recruit Taisuke Matsugae.

The teams lacked imagination in their game and were mostly indulged in keeping possession in the midfield area.