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Mumbai City FC failed to return to the top four as they were held by to a 1-1 draw against FC Hyderabad at the GMC Athletic Stadium. Calmly converted penalties by Mohamed Larbi and Marko Stankovic cancelled each other out either side of half time, as they two sides played out an entertaining draw.
The home side, Hyderabad FC, made as many as four changes to the side that lost 1-2 to Odisha FC in their previous encounter. Kamaljit Singh suffered an injury and had to sit out of the contest, as veteran goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani took his place in the starting line-up.
The same was the case with Rohit Kumar as Sahil Tavora took his place in the midfield. Dimple Bhagat picked up a double yellow card in his ISL debut and was suspended for the contest.
Gurtej Singh, on the other hand, got relegated to the bench for a string of poor performances. Laldanmawia Ralte and Marko Stankovic were the other two new names found in the Hyderabad FC starting line-up.
Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, made only one change to the side that comprehensively beat league leaders Bengaluru FC 2-0. Modou Sougou was forced to sit out of the game after the Senegalese picked up an injury in the training session. Gabon international Serge Kevyn started ahead of him.
#5 Hyderabad FC finally ditch their unconventional formations
Hyderabad FC tried a variety of formations to find the winning combination. They started with a back-three until former head coach Phil Brown realized that every team in ISL exploited its weakness. Even when they were playing with a back-four, the overall balance in the team was lacking, especially the completely lacklustre midfield.
For the first time this season, it looked as if the team had a definite shape with all the players playing in their desired positions. Fielding themselves in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Adil Khan partnered Matthew Kilgallon in the heart of the defence with Nikhil Poojary and Asish Rai flanking them in the left and right respectively.
Sahil Tavora and Marko Stankovic played as the defensive midfielders with Laldanmawia Ralte, Marcelinho, and Mohammed Yasir playing ahead of them. Bobo played as the lone striker for them.
Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, played in their typical 4-3-3 formation with Sarthak Golui, Pratik Chaudhari, Mato Grgic, and Subhasish Bose formed the back-four with Rowllin Borges, Sourav Das, and Mohammed Larbi forming the midfield triumvirate. Diego Carlos and Serge Kevyn constantly switched their flanks as Amine Chermiti started centrally.
#4 Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC concede cheaply once again
For the fourteenth time this season, Hyderabad FC fail to maintain their clean sheet and once again it was a sloppy individual error which collectively brought the team down.
In the final five minutes of the first half, Nikhil Poojary handled the ball inside the penalty box after Serge Kevyn's shot ricochetted off the chest of Laxmikant Kattimani and Mohamed Larbi made no mistake in giving Mumbai City FC the lead.
Mumbai City FC were no different as Pratik Choudhari handled the ball in the penalty box in an attempt to thwart Bobo's attempted cross. Marko Stankovic, this time, played the role of the villain for the Islanders.
The problem can be attributed to a drop in concentration which players usually experience in the dying minutes of either half. Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC had the worst defensive record before entering the contest and when they came up against each other, they gave an exhibition of the same.
#3 Mumbai City FC again break even by capitalizing on opposition's errors
Mumbai City FC have had thirteen different goalscorers so far in the ISL and it is something their head coach Jorge Costa takes pride in. While it has its advantage in the form of any player on the pitch nicking a goal, the disadvantage of not having an out-and-out striker can backfire sometimes.
Diego Carlos got two gilt-edged opportunities to put the ball into the back of the net either side of half time, but failed on both the occasions. Modou Sougou's absence was felt profusely as both the wingers, the other being Serge Kevyn, got into good positions from counter-attacking situations but failed to apply the killer touch.
Against Bengaluru FC, both of Mumbai City FC's goals came from capitalizing on their errors and the same case was applicable against Hyderabad FC. Last season, Sougou played centrally and scored 12 goals. This time around, however, Costa has entrusted Amine Chermiti with the role and the Tunisian has so far failed to replicate the same impact which the Senegalese had last season.
#2 Adil Khan marvels in the role of a center-back
Having started his career as a full-back who can deputize as a defensive midfielder, Adil Khan played as a central defender very occasionally. Wherever he has plied his trade, be it Mohun Bagan, Delhi Dynamos, or FC Pune City, the 31-year-old always played as a midfielder with little to no utility.
However, Igor Stimac started him as a centre-back for India's national team. Since then, he has been a regular in that position for the Blue Tigers and against Mumbai City FC, he finally got his place in the back-four.
He made a staggering 19 clearances in the contest, way ahead of his peers Sahil Panwar (9), Matthew Kilgallon (10), and Asish Rai (5). Unlike his partner Matthew Kilgallon, who was rugged and even lazy to some extent, Adil Khan was alert and made some goal-saving blocks and interceptions.
The prime example of his defensive astuteness came in the 77th minute of the contest, when Serge Kevyn was in a brilliant position to steer home a cross from the right flank, but the defender stuck out his leg to deny him the opportunity.
Adil Khan passed his test as a centre-back with flying colours and this is something Mumbai City FC should have resorted to earlier.
#1 The fight for the fourth position gets more interesting
Only one team could have celebrated Marko Stankovic's penalty in the dying minutes of the game with more joy than the Hyderabad FC fans. And, that would be the Odisha FC players as their claim in the playoff spot got a new hope
With difficult games coming against ATK and FC Goa, they would be jubilated to cling to their fourth position as Mumbai City FC missed a golden opportunity to overtake them.
Chennaiyin FC would also be delighted with the outcome as their aspirations to sneak in gets more hope. Even NorthEast United FC has an outside chance as they have two games in hand. And should they pick up back-to-back victories, they would be in the reckoning.
ATK, Bengaluru FC, and FC Goa have more or less booked their playoff spot with the three fighting it out amongst themselves to finish at the top of the points table and become the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League.
But, the tussle for the fourth spot is very much on!
