ISL 2015: Pune and Mumbai play out a sedate draw in Maha derby
Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City played out a dull 0-0 draw as neither of the teams looked desperate enough to gamble for the win. Pune's winless streak stretches to three games, although they go level on points with FC Goa at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Mumbai remain at sixth as they failed to take a golden opportunity to grab a place in the top-four of the league.
Mumbai controlled the possession for most of the first half, but failed to create too many openings. The best chance of the half fell to Subhash Singh, who nearly capitalized on a mistake from Pune goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, who made a rare start in place of Steve Simonsen.
The Indian custodian received a back-pass from Roger Johnson under no pressure, but decided to ponder on the ball, instead of clearing it, and Subhash closed him down. Arindam kept out Subhash's first attempt, but with an empty goal at his mercy, the Mumbai forward lost his composure and failed to hit the target once more from the rebound.
Both the teams went into the break tied at 0-0 and it looked like neither of the teams had enough desire or quality in their attack to win the game.
In the 58th minute, Mumbai striker Frederic Piquionne had a good chance from a header as he climbed above Didier Zokora to meet a lovely cross from Keegan Pereira, but his attempt went wide. Immediately at the other end, Pune forward Tuncay Sanli came close to scoring with a volley from the edge of the box, but it went over the cross bar.
Adrian Mutu tested Mumbai goalkeeper Subrata Paul with a lovely turn and shot from outside the box as he shimmied past Pavel Cmovs, but the Indian goalkeeper was up to the challenge and tipped the shot over the bar.
The moment of the game arrived in the 77th minute, when Cmovs picked out Piquionne with a long ball and the French striker headed it down towards Sampath Kuttymani inside the box. The Mumbai midfielder controlled it and hit a powerful volley with his second touch, but Arindam showed unbelievable relfexes to somehow keep the ball out with his right hand in what will be a contender for the save of the season.
In the end, neither of the teams managed to find the back of the net and the match ended 0-0. The absence of Sunil Chhetri and Sony Norde handicapped the Mumbai attack, whereas Pune seemed content with a draw and did not commit too many men forward.
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