Half Time Report: Mumbai's Subrata Pal makes strong comeback to hold off attacking Chennai
Starting Line-ups:
Mumbai City FC - Subrata Paul, Ashutosh Mehta, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, Lalchhuan Mawia, Selim Benachour, Pratesh Shirodhkar, Cristian Bustos, Sunil Chhetri, Frederic Piquionne, Sony Norde
Chennaiyin FC - Mehrajuddin Wadoo,Alessandro Potenza, Mailson Alves, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Khabra, Elano Blumer, Jayesh Rane, Stiven Mendoza
SUBRATA PAUL STOOD TALL on his comeback game as Mumbai City managed to hold Chennaiyin FC off to keep it 0-0 at the end of the first half.
Nicolas Anelka went all guns blazing into his first home game, making six changes to the side that held Kerala Blasters to a 0-0 draw. He fielded Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Paul, now back from national duty. Ashutosh Mehta, Lalchhuanmawia, Selim Benachour and Frederic Piquionne all made it back into the starting XI making it the strongest Mumbai City squad to make a start this season.
Chennaiyin FC had only one change from the previous game, an emphatic 0-4 away victory over FC Goa. Materazzi benched Bernard Mendy in favour of Alessandro Potenza.
Like the last game, Mendoza was a threatening presence from the get go. In the sixth minute he forced a difficult save out of Subrata Paul who had to dive full-tilt to his right to deflect the ball away for a corner.
This was followed by a period of Mumbai City being on the offensive, helmed by Sony Norde on the left flank. Marking him like a shadow was Mehrajuddin Wadoo, and the two were in constant tussle throughout the half. Sony tried his best to put a dangerous cross into the Chennaiyin box early on but got flagged offside. Soon afterwards he took a free kick but it did not find its mark and was easily cleared.
Chennaiyin were trying to get back through some counters. One of Elano's passes saw Thoi get past the Mumbai City defenders, but he failed to keep the shot on target. Minutes later, Raphael Augusto had a crack at the goal, which Subroto managed to deflect. It hit the post.
As the half neared its end there were a few moments of intensity from Sony Norde. Once he had almost cleared the Chennaiyin defence, but Wadoo managed to diffuse the attack. Next minute Sony had the best chance to score yet, but his well-aimed shot was just about palmed over the bar by Chennaiyin keeper Edel.
Throughout the half, Mumbai City enjoyed most of the possession, but Chennaiyin were by far the more attacking team with 9 shots compared to Mumbai's 4.
What Anelka will have to address going forward is the way Mendoza managed to get past his defenders and test Subroto. Materazzi's biggest concern, of course, will be Sony Norde who has been the most threatening Mumbai player so far.
Unfortunately for the home team, Sunil Chhetri has not impressed on his Mumbai City debut. He has made a few move-killing poor touches and his pace is nowhere up to the mark so far. His presence has taken a lot of sting away from the Mumbai City attack. The fans will be hoping he comes alive in the second half and contributes to the much-needed lead they need. If they do manage to score, they have the capability to defend their hearts out and secure a favourable result.
