Akbar Travels surprised Mumbai FC with a sterling display in the Elite Division playoffs at Cooperage grounds on Monday.
MUMBAI: Akbar Travels surprised Mumbai FC with a sterling display in the Elite Division playoffs at Cooperage grounds on Monday.
Though the match ended 2-2, the football on exhibition was lively and competitive, which brought the thin crowd out of the stands.
Mumbai FC were the favourites going into the match. However, the first half belonged to Akbar Travels as they scored both their goals in it with aggressive football.
“I think they were the superior side today, the way the moved around the field, they caught up by surprise,” said David Booth, the coach of Mumbai FC.
“However, I think we can only get better from today and the players showed in the second half that they can play good football,” he added.
Jonathan Bubo and Oklielum Ezekal scored for Akbar travels in the 44th and 45th minute resulting in a score of 2-0 at half time.
“Though they took an early lead, David’s pep talk during the break inspired them enough to attack more and that helped them score in the second half,” he said.
This was not just talk as in the second half saw them attack more often that translated into two rather fortunate goals.
The first goal scored by Mumbai FC was off a penalty which they secured due to a foul tackle by the Akbar’s goalkeeper Sabeesh AV.
That happened in the 51st minute and from then on Mumbai FC surely were the dominant team, attacking more and taking their chances at the post from ouside the D.
One such shot was splendidly warded off by Sabeesh in the 75th minute.
The refereeing was not up to the standards if the coaches are to be believed. Especially, David Booth was acerbic in his judgement, who differed rather animatedly during playtime.
“I believe it is up to him to ensure that play is not routinely stopped and I hope he does a better job than what he did today,” said Booth of match referee Dhanraj More.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}