A resilient Mumbai City FC (MCFC) overcame two first half goal deficits to hold Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in what was their final home game of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Mumbai Football Arena. The crucial draw against the current ISL League Shield Winners ensured the reigning champions keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the playoffs after having accumulated 33 points from 22 games.

Jamie Maclaren scored the opener in the 32nd minute of the first half, giving the visitors a flying start to the game. Dimitri Petratos netted his second goal in as many games nune minutes later, as he doubled the lead for the Jose Molina coached side, capitalizing on rival custodian Phurba Lachenpa’s rebound clearance.

Trailing 0-2 down in the opening half and being reduced to ten men after Vikram Partap Singh’s red card for most of the second half, the host demonstrated a valiant effort in the second half and hit back with two goals through Jon Toral first one of the season 12 minutes after the resumption. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate Nathan Rodrigues, positioned deep inside the six-yard box, headed a rebound into the middle of the net in the dying minutes of the match to salvage a point for the Petr Kratky coached side from this fixture.

In their 12 matches so far in the history of the league, Mumbai City FC have won seven games and Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been triumphant once. Four matches, including two this season have produced draws

Post the match MCFC Head Coach Kratky highlighted his players’ fighting spirit and resilient character behind securing a crucial point against their erstwhile rivals against whom they had won narrowly in the ISL final in the previous season.

“The most important thing is the reaction of the team, and we reacted very well. So, we make a strategy when we have one man down, and they (the players) stick to it, and they work very hard. We just had  to keep moving forward. You don't get stuck on it and find excuses. We need to find solutions, and we did that with the 10 men today,” said Kratky.

Mumbai City FC, who played out a 2-2 draw against Mohun Bagan SG in the reverse fixture in Kolkata last year and held the Mariners to another 2-2 draw through set-pieces, this time in Mumbai.

Mohun Bagan SG have kept the most clean sheets this season and also conceded at least of 16 goals in the ongoing season. Kratky acknowledged the Mariners’ resolute defensive unit throughout the season but also commended his teams, who scored a total of four goals in both legs.

“We knew Mohun Bagan SG had 14 clean sheets for a reason. They are very good at defending. They are very effective in the final third. They have very good strikers. You can see, you give them one chance, they score a goal. That's why they are powerful. We have to focus on how we can beat that,” he stated.

Kratky shared his delight at his squad’s collective efforts and unwavering determination to fight tooth and nail against the League Champions as the game ended on level terms. The head coach thanked the supporters for their ceaseless support from the stands, as he believed they played a pivotal role in boosting the players’ confidence in the second half and thanked them for their unwavering support despite a inconsistent season where in the Islanders have managed just four home wins this season, their lowest home tally since 2015 and 2016 (three each) and had conceded three goals twice in a row against Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC here earlier this season.

Kratky revealed that they wanted to secure all three points while playing at home one last time for the 2024-25 season but shared his delight with how his players stood against all the obstacles to add a significant point to their tally.

“I'm satisfied with the point. But again, I want to win. But if you look at how the games go, I think the point is very good for us,” Kratky signed off. “

Jose Molina was however displeased with his side’s performance in the second half as Mohun Bagan Super Giant saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.

The match showcased contrasting halves, as Mohun Bagan SG initially dominated the first half, scoring two goals. However, the second half saw a resurgence from Mumbai City FC, who equalized, despite being reduced to ten men after Vikram Partap Singh received a red card.

"We did a great first 45 minutes, really good. The beginning of the second half was not so good, but good enough. But, after the sending off (for Vikram Singh), being one more player on the pitch, we were not that good; we were not Mohun Bagan SG," he said during the post-match press conference.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining their established playing style, arguing that deviating from their usual tactics could jeopardize their success. Mumbai City FC put the visitors on the backfoot despite the numerical disadvantage, trying to create chances till the end which ultimately resulted in the equaliser.

"We had created something so far during this season, a team spirit, a way to play. Then, when we have one more player, we start to do things differently. Not the things we were doing until now, which put us on the top of the table and with the Shield. So if we start to do different things, we can see what could happen," he stated.

"For me, it is easy. We have to play in the way we work every day, in the way we are playing every match, and not try to do different things," he added.

Molina rejected the notion that his team became complacent after securing the League Shield, asserting their strong start in the match. He admitted that while the second half was not up to the mark, the experience should serve as a lesson to avoid similar mistakes in future games

Result:

Mumbai City FC 2 (Jon Toral 57’, Nathan Rodrigues 89’) drew Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2 (Jamie Maclaren 32’, Dimitrios Petratos 41’). (HT 0-2)

Photo Cover: Mumbai City FC players relish their hard fought draw against current ISL League Shield Winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Photo Above: Fans turned up in large numbers to support the home team