ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City FC held to frustrating 1-1 draw despite Jamshedpur FC red card
This was Mumbai City FC's first draw of the season in six games, along with four wins and a loss, as they stay at the top spot in the table. Meanwhile, for Jamshedpur FC, it was their fourth draw in the opening six, along with a win and a loss, as they have risen to sixth.
FollowIn what turned out to be a thrilling, yet frustrating match, Mumbai City FC were held to a 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC at the GMC Stadium in Telangana on Monday. With this draw, Mumbai stay on top, while Jamshedpur have risen to the sixth place after both the teams have played six games each.
The match was off to an attacking start right from the first whistle, as there were a couple of attacks in the opening six minutes. Jamshedpur's Nerijus Valskis, from the centre of the box, shot with his right foot to the bottom left corner of the box, following an assist from Jackichand Singh, to give his side the lead in the eighth minute. While the side came with another chance in the 12th minute, the very next minute Bartholomew Ogbeche of Mumbai levelled it with a right-footed strike to the bottom right corner from the centre, as Bipin Singh assisted him.
There were a couple of attacks more, before Jamsehpur's Aitor Monroy received his second yellow card of the game, in the 27th minute, to be sent off. Seven more attacks followed, but none could break the deadlock at the end of the first half.
The second half saw an all-out attacking approach from the hosts, as the visitors switched to ultra-defensive mode. Of the 10 attacks, Mumbai came up with nine, but failed to find the net, as Jamsehdpur's defence seemed too strong to be breached, despite being a man short. After frustrating attempts, the referee blew the final whistle, as the honours were shared.
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Following the game, Mumbai head coach Sergio Lobera said, "I feel we lost two points. We played against 10 players for a long time. They played well defensively. We had our chances, but finally, we needed to score but didn't happen. We need to put all our focus on the job. We needed to manage the situation better."
"[On teams setting up defensively] It's not enough and we need to improve and analyse the game. We need to create more chances. We need to arrive quickly at the opponent box and be calm, find the spaces. It wasn't easy."
"[On le Fondre and Ogbeche playing together] I think they can play together They are experienced players. Today, with circumstances, with Boumous, Hernan and Mandar missing, we needed to make some changes. I am happy with their [Adam and Ogbeche] performance playing together."
Meanwhile, Jamshedpur head coach Owen Coyle added, "Fantastic point. We were worthy of it. Some decisions are beyond a joke. Our schedule is six games in 19 days, but fantastic spirit from my boys. Mumbai will always have possession even with 11 vs 11. We scored a fantastic goal and it was part of our plan."
"I am frustrated for my players, but they deserve better than what they are getting from the officials. Some of the stuff, in the previous games. What's going on? We need to get the officials right when we have the best players and coaches coming to this league. There was a reason we had foreign officials in the league last year. It affects others livelihoods."
"We are five unbeaten, but coming against a team like Mumbai, the young boys stood up to be counted. Seeing the development of young players pleases me."
