I-League Media Team

SHILLONG: A feisty Mumbai FC were able to hold Royal Wahingdoh FC to a 1-1 draw on the latter’s home turf here on Sunday.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through a Josimar header which silenced the 13,000-plus crowd, while Kim Song Yong responded with a header of his own in the second half to secure one point for Wahingdoh.

The Royals did not look as smooth in their >

MFC were able to script a few early opportunities but could not execute effectively, with Josimar operating alone up at front.

In the first 20 minutes the hosts had a couple of chances, with Kim’s shot on goal in the ninth minute going wide as he was slightly off balance and Jackichand Singh’s attempt 10 minutes later just going over the bar.

Shots over the crossbar were a feature of this game, with Wahingdoh responsible for more than their fair share.

Mumbai opened the scoring after earning a throw-in on the right, which led to a cross for Josimar in the box. The tall Brazilian had absolutely no trouble in executing, putting his team into the lead.

For around five minutes after the half-hour mark RWFC pushed the visitors back, but each of their four attacks came to nothing, either because of excellent defence or wayward shot taking.

It was more of the same in the last five minutes of play with Bekay Bawar and Jacki shooting over the bar and straight to the keeper, respectively.

The second session started with the hosts looking for that equaliser and Kim came to the rescue in the 59th minute, getting the better of his mark in the jump and leading to his header beating Mumbai keeper Nidhin Lal.

Mumbai were not lying down either, and an attack by them two minutes later needed Wahingdoh goalkeeper Nikhil Bernard pulling off a tremendous save. He was called on again in the 67th minute to make a spectacular save after the visitors had won another corner.

Furious attacking action from Royal Wahingdoh saw their opponents defending with equal determination and the Mumbai boys can take a lot of pride in the way that they held off the home team, who had almost all of the momentum in the last 10 minutes.

The last real action saw Reagan Singh attempt a long shot on goal from a free kick, but Nidhin Lal was able to tip it over the bar and the match ended 1-1 with both teams sharing a point each.

MOTM: Jackichand Singh