Anwar header helps Mumbai hold Dempo

Mumbai FC made a strong comeback to hold mighty Dempo SC 1-1 in the I-League second round at Shiv Chhatrapati Sport Complex in Balewadi on Sunday.

Dempo SC were leading in the first half with an injury time goal from Jeje Lalpekhlua (45 +3). However, the Mumbai side found the much-needed equaliser in the 86th minute when defender Anwar Ali found the back of the net.

Earlier, both the teams began cautiously. Mumbai FC first opened up the attack. Skipper Nicholas Rodrigues launched a move with midfielder Climax Lawrence inside the box.
However, a loose shot from the midfielder was easily blocked by Dempo defender.

After a dull game in the entire first half, Dempo SC players gave their supporters a reason to cheer, when they earned a corner kick at injury time. A diagonally-floated kick from Clifford Miranda was well converted by Jeje as it went past the helpless goalkeeper Kunal Sawant.

After the breather, Mumbai FC pulled up their socks and put Haroon Amiri into the attack. The move paid well for the Khalid Jamil’s side as Amiri kept Dempo defenders on a high alert for the entire game.

Mumbai had nearly secured their equaliser in the 60th minute when Amiri’s header in front of the goal was saved. Mumbai FC kept pressing for the equaliser but missed some good chances. However, their hard work paid off just four minutes before the regulation time when Anwar’s beautiful header off a Nicholas corner kick did the trick. Anwar was later adjudged as the man of the match.

Stopwatch: Prayag Utd 3 (R Martins 23, B Biswas 87, E Brown 90) bt Sporting Goa 1 (V Fernandes); Bengaluru 3 (J Johnson 33, S Rooney 57, S Chhetri 67) bt Randajied Utd 0; Mumbai 1 (A Ali 86) drew with Dempo 1 (J Lalpekhlua 45+3); Shillong Lajong 0 drew Pune 0