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Mohammedan Sporting dropped points at home for the first time this season when they were held 2-2 by a spirited Mumbai Kenkre FC side in the 2022-23 I-League at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday, December 13.
Mohammedan Sporting took the early lead thanks to captain Marcus Joseph’s great long-range strike before Azfar Noorani equalised for Mumbai Kenkre FC at the stroke of half-time. Abiola Dauda’s header put the Black and White Brigade ahead again at the hour mark but the Mumbaikars responded yet again with skipper Kiran Pandhare’s goal 15 minutes from time.
Mohammedan Sporting dominated the ball straight from kick-off, building from the back and using the wings to penetrate the opponent’s box. The constant pressure in the early minutes benefited the home side as they gained the lead of the match in the 10th minute. Skipper Marcus Joseph, set up by Abiola Dauda on top of the penalty area, fired a half-volley into the bottom right corner of the goal, giving no chance to Kenkre’s custodian Tenzin Samdup. Mohammedan Sporting didn’t take their foot off the gas after the early lead and defender Abhash Thapa hit the post in the 19th minute with his attempt from distance.
Midway through the half, Mohammedan Sporting gave away a few unnecessary free kicks close to their penalty area, however, the visitors couldn’t capitalise due to their rather poor quality of deliveries from set pieces.
In the final 10 minutes of the half, Mohammedan Sporting created multiple chances in their hunt for a second goal but to the home team’s misery, Kenkre scored the equaliser against the run of play in the add-on time. Aman Gaikwad took advantage of a slip from Abhash Thapa before feeding the ball into Azfar Noorani’s path. Noorani continued the run on the left before beating the Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Zothanmawia with his convincing left-footed strike into the roof of the net.
Mohammedan Sporting continued to attack the Kenkre FC half in the second half and almost found the back of the net in the 50th minute. A shot from Faiaz inside the penalty area was saved by the right boot of goalkeeper Samdup.
The Black and White Brigade regained the lead of the game at the hour mark. A teasing delivery into the box from Joseph found Dauda near the six-yard box. The Kenkre FC defence failed to clear their lines as the Nigerian striker made no mistake, diving low to head the ball into the back of the net.
The Mohammedan Sporting lead lasted only 15 minutes as the Kenkre FC captain Kiran Pandhare got the visitors back into the game. Noorani took a corner kick and after a series of missed clearances and failed shots, the ball ricocheted and found its way to Pandhare at the far post and the midfielder slotted in the equaliser.
The final quarter of the game saw a level of urgency displayed by the home team, while the visitors looked content to play for a point. Mohammedan Sporting created a late surge to find the winner, however, the hosts didn’t have enough left in the tank to take the lead for the third time.
Both Mohammedan Sporting and Mumbai Kenkre FC now have have seven points from seven games played with the Kolkata club sitting just above Kenkre, in the ninth position, thanks to a better goal difference.
