Mumbai, Jan 17 (IANS) Hosts Mumbai FC and East Bengal played out a goalless draw in the first round of I-League football tournament at the Cooperage Ground here on Sunday.
Both the hosts and the visitors showed aggression from the word go but none found fruitful results. As the game progressed, both teams lacked attacking intensity.
The visitors had a golden chance to go ahead just before the break as Do Dong-hyun went through the defence quite easily but he couldn't hold on to the ball till the end and goalkeeper Pawan Kumar took possession with ease.
Both teams went into the break without scoring at half-time.
Mumbai FC came out stronger after the break with new recruit Arata Izumi attempting a long shot on the goal which was eventually blocked by goalkeeper Kumar yet again.
East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhattacharya tried his best to render advice from the sidelines but that did not work for the hosts in the particular match.
The side looked low in energy to break the deadlock against the hosts.
On the other hand, Khalid Jamil coach of Mumbai despite making a few changes in the second half failed to help his boys get the much needed goal.
The visitors were booked thrice in the match, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Sanju Pradhan and Ranti Martins. The hosts were booked once Eric Brown being the culprit.
From the Sunday's match, there is very less positives that both the side will take.
So far, Mumbai have played two games and have drawn both the ties whereas, East Bengal won one and drawn one out of two games.
Mumbai next face Salgaocar FC at home on January 24 while East Bengal face-off against traditional rivals Mohun Bagan in high-voltage derby clash on January 23.
