Journalism of Courage
Mumbai FC came back twice from being a goal down to hold Bengaluru FC 2-2 in an I-League encounter at Balewadi Sports Complex,Pune,on Saturday.
Bengaluru FC went up through striker Sean Rooney (eighth minute) before Hashmatullah Mohamed Jan (10th) equalised for Mumbai FC.
The hosts were then reduced to ten men after midfielder Ashutosh Mehta was shown a straight red in the 36th minute.
The visitors once again took the lead through striker Sunil Chhetri (58th) off a penalty-kick before Climax Lawrence equalised for Mumbai FC.
Hashmatullah went close in the opening minute on a counter,but saw his weak header being collected by the Bengaluru FC custodian. However,it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play. Striker Rooney tapped in Beikhokhei Beingaichhos low cross from the right leaving the hosts keeper Nidhil Lal helpless.
At the other end,Mumbai FC equalised almost instantly. Hashmatullahs attempt from 25-yards out ended in the net after a wicked deflection from Bengaluru FC defender NS Manju,two minutes later.
Six minutes past the half-hour mark,Ashutosh received his marching orders after a foul on Siam Hangal. Both teams went into the break tied at 1-1.
The visitors made their advantage count as they took the lead in the 58th minute. After an apparent handball by Jayesh Rane inside the box,the referee awarded a penalty to Bengaluru FC. Chhetri stepped up to convert from the spot.
The hosts thereafter kept pushing for the equaliser which they finally got in the dying moments of the game. On a corner,Lawrence won the ball in a melee inside the eight-yard box and placed his shot past the reach of the goalkeeper.
