I-League: DSK Shivajians hold Sporting, Mumbai FC continue unbeaten run against East Bengal

Both encounters finished 0-0 on Sunday.

New Delhi: Mumbai FC continued their unbeaten run against East Bengal after holding the Red and Yellow Brigade 0-0 at home in a crucial Gameweek 2 encounter in the I-League.

In Sunday's another game, Sporting Clube de Goa failed to convert chances as they were held to a goalless draw by debutant DSK Shivajians in Fatorda.

Mumbai FC dominated proceedings in the first half and were giving East Bengal considerable pressure especially from set-pieces. 

The first clear chance came in the 18th minute for Eric Brown who had goalkeeper Rehenesh TP called into a good save after drilling an effort on target from a rather tight angle, as the East Bengal kepper showing that he has the right skills to keep it out well after a diving effort.

Six minutes later Mumbai had another chance as Brown had a good shot from range only for Steven Dias to put a looping header wide from the resulting play. 

East Bengal's Sanju Pradhan had two close chances very early after the first half as the visitors grew in the game.

In the 72ndminute, Do-Dong Hyun’s header went inches wide of the target as Mumbai breathed a sigh of relief.

The point saw East Bengal occupy the third spot behind Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC.

In the other game, Sporting Clube de Goa could not utilise the home advantage with their strikers wasting numerous scoring opportunities.

The home team put a lot of pressure in the closing stage also and even managed to put the ball into the net in the injury time, but Shivajians veteran goalkeeper Subrato Paul pushed the ball out of the goal.

The ball had crossed the line but the assistant referee disallowed the goal.

Sporting Clube de Goa, who lost to East Bengal in their lung-opener, had the game under their control as they created scoring chances. Odafe Okolie had got two easy chances but he failed to direct his shots on target.

Rowllin Borges, who came back from injury, turned out to be the hero of the match for the home team as he controlled the midfield, giving passes. He was well supported by Nicholas Fernandes and Glen Martins on the flank as they kept on pressing for an early goal.

But Odafe and Mohmoud Al Amna were unable to get past keeper Paul.

Paul was largely responsible for his team collecting a point from this game.

The visitors, on the other hand, preferred to hold their citadel, playing a waiting game.

Shivajians attacked their rival team with counter moves.

They even managed to create chances, especially in the second half but Indrajeet Chougale either shot off the target or failed to beat keeper Arindam Bhattacharja. Despite putting up an inspired performance on the flank, he could not score a goal.

His best chance came in the second half when he was put through in the open inside the box by Aser Dipanda but he ended shooting off the mark with only keeper at his mercy.

Sporting Clube de Goa today opened their account after loosing the first match, while DSK Shivajians collected one point from their opening tie.

(With agency inputs)