NAVI MUMBAI, Nov 17:
Atletico de Kolkata continued their charmed life at the top of the Hero Indian Super League table after Mumbai City FC failed to take their chances against FC Goa at the DY Patil Stadium in here tonight. The match ended in yet another goalless draw. It was the second clean sheet for the visitors who remain in seventh spot with nine points while the hosts remain in fifth spot with 12. Goa will however take heart from this competent defensive performance while Mumbai rue their inability to score a goal in their third successive game. It was a fairly even first half with both sides looking to go forward. Mandar Rao Desai and Nicolas Anelka saw their shots go wide within the first few minutes. However, the Peter Reid side slowly began to get a foothold in the game as they kept the ball for longer periods. They found the visitors extremely hard to break down though, and were forced to spread the play wide. The Robert Pires-Andre Santos combo in the middle was influential for the visitors as they dictated the pace of play. The closest either side came to a goal was in the 42nd minute. An Andre Moritz through ball found its way to Lalrindika Ralte who dashed in and took a shot; but Jan Seda got down quickly to his right and made the stop. It was more of the same in the second half as both teams attacked with purpose. The midfield battle continued with Pires and Santos for Goa and Jan Stohanzl and Moritz for Mumbai exerting themselves in a bid to change the game. Moritz, who bagged the Hero of the match award, lashed a ferocious long range effort in the 83rd minute that beat Seda and came back into play off the crossbar. Two minutes later, Tolgay Ozbey dribbled past a couple of players and smashed an effort into the inside of the woodwork. He then threaded a beautiful through ball to substitute Romeo Fernandes on the right who cut past his marker and fired a close range effort straight at Subrata Paul. Goa pushed forward as the clock ticked on but were unable to get the decisive breakthrough as the final whistle blew. Peter Reid will hope his side get back to winning ways against Chennaiyin FC at home on November 23. Zico will be satisfied with four points on the road and will eye a win they host FC Pune City on November 22. (UNI)
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