ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City and Hyderabad FC battle to goalless draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:10 am

Mumbai City FC players surround Hyderabad FC's Liston Colaco.
Mumbai City FC players surround Hyderabad FC's Liston Colaco.
Vipin Pawar/ Sportzpics for ISL

Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC played out an evenly fought goalless draw at the GMC Stadium on Saturday.

There was controversy early on in the match, when Raynier Fernandes was award a foul after an attempted clearance from Mohammed Yasir inside the penalty box. The referee awarded an indirect free kick inside the box, which Mumbai failed to capitalise on.

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The game grew into an end-to-end battle in the first half. First, Laxmikant Kattimani produced a fine save to deny Adam le Fondre. Then, at the other end, Amrinder Singh kept his side alive in the game. Aridane Santana, Joel Chianese and Liston Colaco combined to string together a move before Colaco saw his near post effort saved well by Amrinder.

The Mumbai defense has been excellent all season (4 goals conceded in 11 games, joint-best record in the league with ATK Mohun Bagan), and Amrinder was at his best once again to deny Chianese. The move started with Yasir winning the ball in the midfield, before chipping a through-ball for Chianese to send him one-on-one with the keeper. But Amrinder blocked the Australian's shot.

Mumbai had a more nervous start in the second half. They gave the ball away and nearly conceded a goal, when Amrinder, in a bid to clear a back pass, played it straight to Colaco. However, the Hyderabad forward shot wide.

Colaco continued to trouble Mumbai with his pace and shooting range, but it wasn't enough to get the goal they were looking for. Meanwhile, for Mumbai were sloppy going forward and wasted chances in the final third.

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Mumbai had two late opportunities to get the winner. Ahmed Jahouh lobbed the ball in the box for Bartholomew Ogbeche, whose first-time shot went over. Later, the Moroccan's stoppage-time free-kick couldn't get the desired connection from his teammate, as it was easily collected by Kattimani.

Mumbai have now extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, and remain on top of the league with 26 points in 11. They play SC East Bengal on the 22nd . Hyderabad, with 16 in 11, remain fourth and play Odisha on the 19th.