Yuta Kinowaki struck in injury time for Shillong Lajong to help his team to a 1-1 draw after Mumbai City FC had defended a second-minute goal by Victorino Fernandes with great heart in I-League 2017 17th round tie.
The visitors’ equalised by the hard-running Japanese happened via a deflection. The home team went into the lead via a stunner by the Indian at the Cooperage ground.
MCFC was lucky to survive a Kinowaki attempt early in the second half — the ball crashed into the goalpost and bounced away from danger. The Japanese picked out Lalmuanpuia with a precise pass, the striker connected, but Kattimani reacted well.
MCFC brought in Thoi Singh as a second-half substitute in place of Nikhil.
The home team dominated play in the first half. A long pass from Mehrajuddin Wadoo found the young striker taking a shot. Nikhil Kadam also stretched the defence on the right flank and took cracks at goal.
Two free-kicks at either end brought the goalkeepers into action. Kattimani, under the MCFC bar, judged an attempt by Issac from a setpiece situation.
Vishal in the goal for Shillong reacted in time to foil a header by Victornio off a kick by Reagan Singh. The flow of attacks at both ends marked a lively first half.
