Ranti Martins fluffed a late penalty as East Bengal was held to a 1-1 draw against Mumbai FC here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Brazilian striker Joshimar da Silva put Mumbai ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Nigerian Dudu Omagbemi fetched the equaliser for East Bengal early in the second.
Having won its previous three outings, East Bengal aimed to continue the momentum against one of the weaker sides in the league. The host had the lion’s share of possession, but failed to convert the advantage into a win. Made to play in a virtual in-camera situation by the district administration, which oversees the security aspect at the stadium, East Bengal had no fan support in the hundred thousand plus capacity stadium. In fact, the police allowed only 250-odd people, including players and officials from the two sides, making it virtually a first-of-its-kind phenomenon where a team played to empty galleries in the long history of football in the city.
East Bengal started on a placid note as the first half-an-hour produced little goalward action at either end. Mumbai then wrested the initiative, earning a penalty in the 33rd minute when East Bengal defender Harmanjot Khabra handled the ball inside the box as Justin Stephen headed a Climax Lawrence free-kick. The visitor preserved the lead till the break as East Bengal tried to regroup.
Dudu made the most of a set-piece situation 11 minutes into the second half when he nodded home a curling free-kick from Robert. After the equaliser, East Bengal had ample opportunities to find the lead, but failed in its bid. Midfielder Cavin Lobo saw his 66th minute effort coming off the crossbar before the host earned a penalty in the 71st minute.
Ranti Martins, on the threshold of his 200th NFL/I-League goal, put in a feeble effort from the spot as Mumbai FC custodian A. Nidhinlal made a fine diving save. The draw saw East Bengal tally 20 points from 13 outings and climb to the fourth spot, while Mumbai FC remained in seventh with 14 points from as many matches.
The results: East Bengal 1 (Dudu Omagbemi 56) drew with Mumbai FC 1 (Joshimar da Silva 33-pen); Royal Wahingdoh 3 (J. Singh 61, Theobald 86, Thockchom Singh 90) bt Mohun Bagan 2 (B. Singh 8, S. Norde 80); Dempo FC 1 (Tolgay Ozbey 69) lost to Pune FC 2 (Drako Nikac 9, Fanai Lalrempuia 68).