NorthEast United 2-2 Mumbai City FC: 3 Reasons why the Islanders could only manage a draw | ISL 2019-20

#1 Mumbai shoot themselves in the foot not once, but twice

Paulo Machado (R)

Over the past fortnight, Mumbai have had time to rejuvenate and brace themselves for another tilt at qualification for the last four. However, they got off to the worst possible start when Triadis hammered one into the net from 25 yards. And, while the Greek’s strike was impressive, it had only come about due to an elementary error by Sauvik Chakrabarti.

After a throw-in from the left flank, the ball fell to the right-back, who miscued an easy clearance. Subsequently, the ball arrived at Triadis’ feet who made Mumbai pay handsomely.

A few minutes later though, the away side nudged ahead courtesy Chermiti’s brace. Yet, they contrived to undo all their good work just on the stroke of half-time.

Machado, of all people, was caught on the ball near the half-way line and had his pocket picked by Martin Chaves. The Uruguayan then slid in Gyan who glided his way into space and stuck the ball past Amrinder.

Apart from the goals, NorthEast failed to create a lot of opportunities and they even resorted to defending deep, thereby allowing the visitors plenty of the ball. And, as the game wore on, it became increasingly clear that the Highlanders were playing a reactive brand of football rather than a proactive style.

Thus, as Mumbai embark on another eastern sojourn to Kolkata, they would be forgiven to think they could’ve arrived in the city of joy with two more points in their kitty.

After all, for everything positive they achieved in Guwahati, they supplemented it with defining negative moments, instances that ultimately cost Mumbai City FC 2 points.