Frustrating draw adds to Mumbai's agony as Aizawl FC hold them 2-2 at Cooperage

MUMBAI FC once again had to be satisfied with a draw when they took on Aizawl FC at home and after multiple twists on turns ended the encounter with the scoreline reading 2-2.

Head coach Khalid Jamil, eager to return to winning ways after more than a month without a victory, brought back Sanjiban Ghosh at goal, Anwar Ali at defense and employed an aggressive attack recalling Eric Brown, Jayesh Rane and Cletus Paul into the starting line-up.

Aizawl FC made two changes to the squad they fielded at Kanteerava over the weekend, including Lallawmawma and Malsawmtluanga in the first eleven.

But the visitors got off on the wrong foot when 2 minutes into the game when their defender handled a ball inside the box and Ryuki Kozawa put away the resulting penalty. The home team were immediately leading 1-0.

Aizawl tried to get back with an Albert Zohmingmawia shot from scoring range that went just above the crossbar. Then Yuta Kinowaki tried his luck with a low shot that went just wide.

But before long, Albert had found the mark. He fought his way into the Mumbai box surviving multiple challenges from defenders and finally sent a screamer straight into the net. It was 1-1. Soon afterwards, Khalid Jamil fielded veteran Syed Rahim Nabi, replacing Clyde Fernandes.

A trademark long throw from Ashutosh Mehta went to Brown who crossed for Darren Caldeira, whose finishing header wasn't good enough to go in. Aizawl countered with Kozawa invading the box and taking a shot that was just too high. 

The second half began with higher intensity. A great run from Albert, and a foul followed by a booking for Chigozie... it built up until Eric Brown put Mumbai ahead once again from the resulting free kick. But before the home fans could breathe a full sigh of relief, substitute Nabi messed it all up for them with an attempted clearance that went straight at the Mumbai goal, beating Sanjiban's diving attempt. The agonizing own goal brought the game level once again; 2-2.

Alfred Jaryan tried to put Aizawl ahead with a jumping header from a Kinowaki cross. Sanjiban saved it. Soon afterwards, David Lalrinmuana had a clear shot at goal as he moved in from the right wing and let fly but it missed the target. Mumbai FC replied with an Eric Brown long ranger that the Aizawl keeper had no chance to stop but it came striaght off the post. That could have been the winner right there but it wasn't to be.

The match ended in another draw. Aizawl FC would consider themselves lucky; they managed to get a point even after handing Mumbai - always dangerous at home - an early lead through their own mistake and getting a second equaliser through Nabi's own goal. With 9 points from 10 games, they are sitting just one point above relegation-threatened Salgaocar. 

As for Mumbai FC tonight was another excercise in frustration. They got the lead twice and ended up with a draw thanks to sheer rotten luck. Things were not going their way; even Eric Brown hit the woodwork in the final minutes. Thanks to Lajong's loss to Bengaluru, Mumbai moved up a place in the league table; going 5th with 11 points from 10 games. But a win at home against a team like Aizawl was essential for them in their quest to remain high in the table. Now, with just 3 more points than Salgaocar to their name, the erstwhile "title contenders" are on the verge of being drawn into a relegation battle.