I-League Media Team

MUMBAI: Mumbai FC were unfortunate to concede a goal from a contentious late penalty, which resulted in their 0-1 defeat to Dempo SC, Goa in a 15th round I-League match at the Cooperage ground on Saturday.

In a far from exciting contest, between two evenly balanced sides, the match witnessed more of midfield action. Just when the game seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, the Goans were lucky to be awarded a debateable penalty by referee K. Venkatesh in the second minute of second half additional period. Dempo’s Costa Rican striker Carlos Hernandes slipped and fell from a tackle by Sampath Kuttymani. Referee Venkatesh immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Hernandes stepped forward to take the penalty and calmly placed the ball to the left corner with Mumbai FC goalkeeper Sanjib Ghosh, who otherwise had a great game, going the other way.

Mumbai FC coach was not pleased with the decision claiming that it was not a penalty. “I don’t think it was a penalty. The referee has to be alert since the player (Carlos) who was on top of the box, had his back to the goal and not in a position to score. Kuttymani did not tackle him on purpose and there was no reason for the penalty,” asserted Jamil at the post match press conference.

“It was a 50-50 game, which was evenly fought. They attacked at the start and then we took over in the second half and we also missed a few chances. But such decisions spoil the game and we had to suffer. With the defeat the morale of the team also goes down,” he further stated.

Dempo had the better of the exchanges in the first half with Lenny Rodrigues, Costa Rican striker Hernandes, Afghanistan midfielder Haroon Fakhruddin and Joy Ferrao taking pot shots at the Mumbai FC goal. The home side had just two attempts at goal during this period and on both occasions Rafi was way off target.

Mumbai FC showed more urgency in the second half and did the bulk of attacking but were unable to break through the compact Dempo defence. In the 68th minute they almost scored but Dempo’s Peter Carvalho cleared from the goalline Rafi’s weak header following Rahul Bheke’s long throw-in from the right.

Thereafter both the teams made a couple of substitutions but there was not much improvement in the proceedings before Dempo earned the penalty.

Jamil now hopes his boys can produce another strong performance in the next match against East Bengal next week, like they did in the 1-1 draw with Bengaluru FC in the previous round. “Our next match is an away match against East Bengal and we have to play like how we performed in Bengaluru.”

Mumbai FC and Dempo now have the same number 13 points each. But, the Goans, who in the 10th spot move up to seventh place by virtue of having defeated the Mumbai club. The home side has slipped down a rung to eighth position.

Mumbai FC, next travel to Kolkata to take on East Bengal on Saturday, April 18.