Goalless draw between Dempo and Mumbai FC

New Delhi: Mumbai FC and Dempo SC played out a goalless draw in a fourth round I-League encounter at the Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai.

With this result, Mumbai FC remains in fourth position while Dempo have moved one up to eighth spot.

Mumbai FC coach David Booth made four changes to the starting XI from the last game against Vasco SC.

Subhash Chakraborty, Alex Ambrose, Noel Wilson and Felix Aboagye made their way out while the twins – Aseem and Anees, Riston Rodrigues and Abhishek Yadav came in. Dempo coach Armando Colaco didn’t change any of his men from the weekend game against league leaders Sporting Clube De Goa.

The game started with Mumbai FC trying to press Dempo early on as they did in their first three games. Aseem’s shot from the left was saved by goalkeeper Sathish Kumar.

Four minutes later, Anthony Pereira’s cross from the right found Beto who couldn’t direct his header on target due to being under pressure from James Dissiramah.

From then on, it was all Dempo as Mumbai FC had to sit back and absorb the pressure. Beto tried a long ranger but goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey conceded a needless corner when the ball was on its way out.

Abhishek Yadav initiated a counterattack which ended in Anees sending in a cross to Abel Hammond, who couldn’t connect it.

The best chance of the first half came off a Beto free-kick which was met by Ranti Martins to head it down straight to Kalyan Chaubey.

Mumbai FC winger Aseem appealed for a penalty when John Dias challenged him from behind but referee Minangsu Bhattacharya didn’t read much into it.

Just before the half hour mark, Mboyo Iyomi’s header went wide off an Anthony Pereira cross.

Nicolau Borges’ free-kick was met with a glancing header by Climax Lawrence but it failed to fetch anything for his side. The 40th minute saw Valeriano Rebello’s cross from the right being hit first time by Nicolau Borges off the target.

Dempo rued the fact that they couldn’t make anything of the chances they had in the first half.

Seven minutes into the second session and Mboyo chested the ball for Ranti whose weak shot was easily collected by Kalyan Chaubey.

Kulothungan and Hammond were involved in a quick one-two and the final shot by Hammond wasn’t up to the mark.

Mumbai FC skipper Abhishek Yadav was seen encouraging his side to keep their spirits up. The Indian international’s shot from 20 yards was saved by Sathish Kumar.

The best chance for Mumbai FC was thanks to a brilliant play by the tall forward as he headed the ball in Hammond’s path but the Ghanaian missed the far post by inches.

At the other end, Mboyo sprung into action and his 25 yarder didn’t threaten the Mumbai FC citadel.

For Dempo, Ranti Martins hit the post off a Beto flag-ick in the 81st minute. That was the last piece of important action in the match.

Mumbai FC would be happy to stop defending champions but in a league where the battle for points seems to get tougher, the home games must be utilized the most to snap three points.

Dempo claim to be pleased with a point away from home but a team contending for the title or rather looking to defend it’s crown must come out with something more.

Final Score: 0-0

More from Goal.comSerie A team of the week: Round 11Goal.com worldview: A turning point for Arsenal?