Mumbai City hold Bengaluru to 1-1 draw in ISL clash
BENGALURU: Bengaluru FC failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the second half as they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Mumbai City FC in an engrossing Indian Super League match here on Sunday.
In an end-to-end affair till the last minute, Udanta Singh gave Bengaluru the lead in the 23rd minute but Modou Sougou equalised in the 31st minute.
Bengaluru maintained their unbeaten record while Mumbai took their unbeaten streak to seven matches.
The point preserved Bengaluru’s three-point advantage at the top of the standings while Mumbai City are second with 21 points. Sunil Chhetri’s vision to thread a through-ball into the box to pick out a clever run by Chencho Gyeltshen almost resulted in the home side taking an early lead in the sixth minute.
The Bhutanese forward latched on to his captain’s pass but drove a low shot across the face of goal that failed to test Mumbai custodian Amrinder Singh.
Bengaluru’s intent in the final third helped them take the lead in the 23rd minute. Chencho played a through ball to release Rahul Bheke into space down the left flank. The fullback’s cross found Udanta Singh perfectly positioned in the centre of the box and the India winger managed to beat the tall figure of Lucian Goian to a header into the net.
Mumbai City attempted to punish the home side’s high line and Modou Sougou was tasked with exploiting the space behind the Bengaluru backline.
After three offside calls, Sougou’s persistence paid off in the 31st minute. Arnold Issoko dribbled infield from the right flank and played a delightful cross into the centre for the Senegalese striker whose diving header left Gurpreet Singh rooted to the spot.
CHURCHILL CRUISE
VASCO: Churchill Brothers beat former champions Aizawl FC 4-1 to maintain their unbeaten record in this I-league season and jump to the second spot here on Sunday.
Churchill scored through Khalid Aucho (23rd minute), Israel Gurung (24th), Anthony Wolfe (61st) and Willis Plaza (77th) while Aizawl’s only goal came from Liberian striker Ansumanah Kromah (54th) at Tilak Maidan here. Churchill went into the half-time break two goals ahead while the rest of game’s five goals came in the second half.
With their third win this season, Churchill moved to the second spot with 13 points from seven matches, behind Chennai City FC (17 from seven matches).
Aizawl, on the other hand, remained stranded on the ninth position with five points from eight games.