MUMBAI, Oct 27: Sergio Lobera’s return to the island city culminated in a 1-1 draw between Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in the Indian Super League as goals by talismanic strikers Roy Krishna and Nikolaos Karelis resulted in both teams settling for a point each.
Lobera was the happier of the two coaches at the onset of the game, with his frontline pressing forward and inflicting pressure on the Mumbai defence. Their charge was led by Krishna, spearheading by example and he reaped the rewards for the same in the 14th minute. As the Islanders looked to build from the back, Valpuia played a lobbed pass to goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa. The custodian brought the ball down but was unable to keep control over the possession, and Krishna lapped upon the opportunity by sprinting ahead, getting the ball back and simply placing it into the back of the net to help the Juggernauts get ahead in the game.
Mumbai equalised almost immediately. Lallianzuala Chhangte, near the goal-line, pierced through Odisha backline with a sharp delivery that was met perfectly by Karelis, who simply had to get his foot at the ball to help it past Amrinder Singh. (Agengies)
