MUMBAI: In the end, it was Mumbai City FC's missed opportunities that forced them to settle for a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in the ISL on Sunday. This was Mumbai's third draw in five matches, taking their tally to six points. For Odisha, who were reduced to ten men in the final ten minutes, it marked their eighth point in six games. Ahmed Jahouh was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
Just as it seemed that Odisha were content to leave with a single point, Mumbai City gifted them a goal when right-back Valpuia aimed a clearance towards goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa, who compounded the error, allowing Roy Krishna to walk the ball into the net.
Nine minutes later, in the 23rd minute, a beautiful interplay between captain Lallianzuala Chhangte and Spanish midfielder Jon Toral Harper left Chhangte with space on the right to deliver a measured low ball into the box. Nikolaos Karelis was in place to sidefoot it into the goal. Mumbai created numerous opportunities after that and could have emerged comfortable winners, but they were left to rue their missed chances.
At the other end, Odisha resorted to time-wasting tactics, appearing out of their depth against a classy Mumbai side. For all his beautiful touches with the ball, Toral was guilty of missing two open chances which even a player of much lesser pedigree would have scored.
First, right after Mumbai's goal, a move that was built from the left channel left Harper with a tap-in, but his effort sailed over the crossbar from the six-yard box. In the second half, he again found himself with a clear chance in front of the goalkeeper; this time, his shot was low and Odisha's man under the bar pulled off an amazing save.
Goal scorer Karelis also had an opportunity late in the game, but his missed chance left Mumbai City with another drawn match.
