ISl 2018-19: Bhumij rescues point for Mumbai City against Kerala Blasters
Narzary scord in the 24th minute when he received a cross on the left channel inside the box, brought it down under control with his first touch and absolutely dispatched it into the back of the net
 "Kerala Blasters FC vs Mumbai City FC")
Kerala Blasters FC vs Mumbai City FC (Photo: indiansuperleague.com)
"If at first you don't succed, try, try again".
Pranjal Bhumij must have the quote printed on a white piece of paper which pasted on his room's wall. Because that's the kind of grit he showed in the 93rd minute with his team on the brink of another loss, the 71st minute substitution for Mumbai City FC let one go from 35 yards out and buried it into the top-right corner. A flailing Dheeraj Singh could do nothing about it and the shot wiped the every-present smile off Kerala's manager David James' face.
The game played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi was a game of two halves. THe first belonged to Kerala, who came into the game after an encouraging 2-0 win at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.
Kerala were superb, backed by their fantastic fans who have literally lit up the stadium. They gave little to no inch to the visiting team. By the 30th minute, Kerala had taken six shots to Mumbai's one.
The icing on the cake was Narzary's goal in the 24th minute that pushed Kerala ahead 1-0 in the first half. Narzary received a cross on the left channel inside the box, brought it down under control with his first touch and absolutely dispatched it into the back of the net.
But after the play resumed in the second half, the men in Blue looked a different team. Unafraid, they ventured into the opposition's half, and although the goal didn't come they kept knocking at the door. The resistance fell through minutes before the final whistle and that was with a wonder strike by Bhumij.
Mumbai looked set to be condemened to two back-toback defeats but this draw against a formidable opponent should give them confidence. As for Kerala, they did brilliantly except for a little slacking off in the second half. The draw must be a kick in the teeth for the home team who looked set to go home with all three points.
Nevertheless, Kerala now go top of the points table while Mumbai City sit in the eighth spot, and despite the gritty draw know that all is not well for them. They must introspect, but more importantly, gain confidence the late draw here today.
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9:27 PM![]()
It's full-time and it's a draw. Pranjal Bhumij's wonderstrike saves the day for Mumbai
9:26 PM![]()
Minute 90+2 (GOAL!!)-- Blinding shot and a cracking goal by Pranjal Bhumij. It's way way way out but Mumbai's Bhumij takes his chance and it absolutely rattles into the back of the net.
9:22 PM![]()
Five minutes of additional time added
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Minute 90 -- At the end of an elaborate move, Pekuson fires in a shot but it's tame and the goalkeeper gleefuly gathers it
9:20 PM![]()
Minute 87 -- Dheeraj is shown the yellow card
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Minute 86 -- A close escape for Chennai. Dheeraj fluffs the ball and Sogou tries to put the ball into the net but fails to make a proper connection and shoots it wide instead
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Minute 85 -- A little over four minutes of regular time remaining here, and by the looks of it, it's the Kerala Blasters who'll end the game with all three points
9:16 PM![]()
Dheeraj is now getting treatment from the medical staff
9:16 PM![]()
Minute 83 -- What's going on here? Dheeraj goes down as a number of players vye for the ball. Mirabaje tries to capitalise on the situation and fire in a shot but it's blocked.
9:14 PM![]()
Minute 82 (SUBSTITUTION for Mumbai): Sanju Pradhan comes in for Arnold
9:13 PM![]()
Minute 81 (YELLOW CARD) -- Mirabaje is shown the yellow card for protesting with referee
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Minute 76 -- Rakib does really well to get off his challenger down the right flank and cross the ball near the far post. It doesn't produce the goods though
9:07 PM![]()
Minute 75 -- Mumbai are doing really well going forward, a stark difference from the first half. But is it too little too late for them?
9:03 PM![]()
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First Published: Oct 05 2018 | 5:20 PM IST
