Hyderabad pegs Mumbai City back with late penalty

In a game that was closely contested in midfield, a Mohamed Larbi (43’) spot-kick seemed to have given Mumbai City all three points. But an injury-time penalty from Marko Stankovic (90+4’) ensured Hyderabad salvaged a point at home. The draw meant MCFC failed to leapfrog Odisha FC.

It remains in the fifth spot with 20 points from 14 matches. The host continues to be at the bottom of the table with six points. Mumbai City has used its flanks to good effect this season and the trend continued as it threatened early. Hyderabad countered by making use of the spaces vacated by Mumbai City’s wide players.

MCFC’s Serge Kevyn and Hyderabad’s Asish Rai both served dangerous crosses into the box which the defences had to deal with. Hyderabad keeper Laxmikant Kattimani, whose last outing was a forgettable one, did well when called into action in the 19th minute. Amine Chermiti sent Diego Carlos in behind the defence with a well-timed pass and the Brazilian was denied a goal by the Goan custodian from a one-on-one opportunity.

The opening goal came after Nikhil Poojary handled the ball inside the box in an attempt to halt Kevyn’s run into the box, forcing the referee to point at the spot. Larbi stepped up and placed the ball into the bottom right corner. Hyderabad struggled to test Amrinder Singh after the break as well.

The host had a couple of chances to equalise after the hour mark. Mathew Kilgallon’s powerful header from a corner-kick flew inches wide of the frame of the goal. With a quarter of the game left, he sent another header wide from a similar corner delivery. At the other end, Carlos made a dangerous run down the wings and sent in a good cross into the box.

Adil Khan’s last-ditch interception denied Kevyn from getting Mumbai City its second goal. Just when it looked like MCFC would see the game out, a foul by Pratik Chaudhari on Bobo inside the box right at the end allowed Stankovic to equalise from the spot.