That is it from the game. Bengaluru FC remain top of the table, while Mumbai City FC climb up to to 2nd spot. On Tuesday, we will see FC Pune City take on FC Goa in the former's den. That clash will begin at 1930 IST. Do join us then. Cheers!
Awards
The Club Award has been shared as the match ended in a draw. The Limitless Player of the Match goes to Modou Sougou. The Winning Pass of the Match Award is won by Arnold Issoko. The Emerging Player of the Match is bagged by Subhasish Bose. Lastly, Arnold Issoko wins the Hero of the Match.
Both teams get a point each
What a fascinating game of football it was. Both the teams had their chances to bag all the 3 points but they could not take it. The game with Udanta Singh opening the scoring for the home side. They were on the front foot most of the time, but were hit back when top scorer of Mumbai Modou Sougou leveled things up. The second half changed everything when Sehnaj Singh was given his marching orders by the referee for a silly tackle on Dimas Delgado. The visitors were still attacking and almost scored the second when Sougou's header was just wide of the target. Bengaluru FC then had more of the ball, when Erik Paartalu's header hit the crossbar. Despite going a man down, the away side had some very good chances to win it. They were always positive of getting something out of the game. Amrinder Singh was brilliant for Mumbai City and kept them in the game with some top saves. In the end, you can say a draw was a fair result.
90'
Full time
The referee brings to an end to the game and it's 1-1 at the final whistle.
90'
Injury time
5 minutes are added on. Will either side go for the kill and snatch a late winner here?
90'
Substitution
Substitution - Mumbai City FC (In: Milan Singh, Out: Rafael Bastos)
87'
Another yellow
Rafael Bastos goes in the referee's book for a tackle from the back on Xisco Hernandez. Players need to calm down otherwise we could see more players getting sent off.
87'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Mumbai City FC : Rafael Bastos
85'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Mumbai City FC : Modou Sougou
81'
Weak effort
Sunil Chhetri lines up to take the free kick from around 25 yards. Chhetri takes it with his right foot but the ball goes straight in the hands of the keeper. He did not get the power and precision required. Weak effort in the end.
78'
Well over
Juanan puts a diagonal ball to Dimas Delgado who volleys it inside the box and finds Semboi Haokip who tries to blast into the net but the ball goes well over the bar.
74'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Kean Lewis, Out: Harmanjot Khabra)
74'
Hits the bar
Dimas Delgado floats in a ball inside the box and finds Erik Paartalu. The latter leaps high and heads it but the ball hits the crossbar. Lucky escape for Mumbai City.
65'
Just wide
Joyner Lourenco plays a hopeful long ball in the opposition box. Rafael Bastos runs and keeps it in play. The latter shows some skills and floats a delightful cross inside the box. He finds Modou Sougou who leaps high and heads it. But the ball goes just wide off the near post. Huge chance to take the lead.
61'
Another yellow
Arnold Issoko runs with ball and tries to go in between the two defenders. Rahul Bheke did not want that to happen and he fouls the former in the process. Referee had no hesitation in giving yellow there. Cards are flying in at the moment.
61'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Rahul Bheke
59'
Another yellow card
Harmanjot Khabra is given the yellow card. He fouls Rafael Bastos in the play and then argues with the referee. The referee had no hesitation in going to his pocket and giving a yellow there. His 4th yellow card of the season and he will miss the next game as well.
59'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Harmanjot Khabra
58'
Second substitution
Nishu Kumar is being taken off and Semboi Haokip comes in place of him.
58'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Semboi Haokip, Out: Nishu Kumar)
51'
Red card
Mumbai City are down to 10 men. Sehnaj Singh grabs a hold of Dimas Delgado from behind and brings him down. The referee quickly pulls out the card and shows Sehnaj his second yellow, thus giving him his marching orders. Big moment in the game, this. Bengaluru will surely want to take advantage.
51'
Second Yellow Card
Second Yellow Card - Mumbai City FC : Sehnaj Singh
49'
What a save
Xisco Hernandez feeds a straight ball to Sunil Chhetri in the middle. The latter takes a stride and shoots it with his left foot. The ball takes a slight deflection off Goian and Amrinder Singh goes to his right and saves it brilliantly. Top save from him.
46'
Second half
Mumbai City FC get us underway in the second half. First substitution for Bengaluru FC. Chencho Gyeltshen is replaced by Xisco Hernandez. Surprising change because he was looking lively on the pitch.
46'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Xisco Hernandez, Out: Chencho Gyeltshen)
Exciting half of football
What an entertaining game of football it was. The home team started brightly when Chencho's shot was just wide of the target. But the goal came in the 23rd minute when Udanta Singh scored a superb header to give his side the lead. But the visitors bounced back and equalized when Issoko's delightful cross found the talisman Sougou who headed it into the back of the net. They continued to pile on the pressure and almost scored the second when Bastos' header was superbly saved by Sandhu. Should be cracking second half of football. Don't go anywhere.
45'
Half time
The referee blows the whistle and it's the end of the first 45.
45'
Good chance wasted
Dimas Delgado chips it in to his skipper Sunil Chhetri who chests the ball down in his control. Now, had he looked up, he would have seen Chencho waiting at the edge of the box. But he didn't, so he turned and narrowed the angle on the right-hand side of the box. Took the shot and earned a corner for his side. The resulting set-piece doesn't amount to anything.
45'
Added time
2 minutes are added on. Will we see a second goal from either side in the final minutes?
35'
Almost the second
Arnold Issoko again delivers a brilliant cross inside the box and finds Rafael Bastos at the far post. The latter heads it down as Sandhu dives to his left and saves it. The away team is piling on the pressure now. Bengaluru have been in shambles at the back in the last 5 minutes.
31'
GOALLLLLLL
Modou Sougou equalizes for Mumbai City. Sauvik Chakrabarti feeds a straight ball to Arnold Issoko on the right and the former then crosses it inside the box. He finds Modou Sougou who times his run beautifully and heads the ball into the back of the net. Game on. Stunned silence in the crowd.
31'
Goal
Goal - Mumbai City FC : Modou Sougou
23'
GOALLLLLLLL
Udanta Singh opens the scoring for Bengaluru FC. Rahul Bheke finds acres of space on the left flank and he delivers a brilliant cross inside the box. He finds Udanta Singh who guides his header into the far corner. Goian will be disappointed that he couldn't clear it away. Amrinder Singh dives to his left but the ball goes past him. Superb header from Udanta. Deserved lead for the home team.
23'
Goal
Goal - Bengaluru FC : Udanta Singh
17'
Well over
Rafael Bastos gets an opportunity to take a free kick from around 25 yards out. He takes it with his right foot but it goes well over. A player of his quality should have at least kept it on target.
10'
First yellow card
Sehnaj Singh goes in the referee's book for a tackle on Erik Paartalu from behind. His 4th yellow card of the season and he will miss Mumbai City's next game.
10'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Mumbai City FC : Sehnaj Singh
6'
First chance
Sunil Chhetri in the middle of the park releases Chencho with a nice through ball. The latter with his left foot tries to guide it into the back of the net but goes just wide of the target. Good move from the home side.
1'
Kick off
The home team will get us underway in this half. Let's Football!
Toss
Mumbai City FC win the toss and will attack from right to left in this half.
National anthem
The players are out in the middle for the Indian National Anthem.
Mumbai City FC XI
Amrinder Singh (GK/C), Arnold Issoko, Joyner Lourenco, Subhasish Bose, Lucian Goian, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Sehnaj Singh, Paulo Machado, Raynier Fernandes, Modou Sougou, Rafael Bastos.
Hello and welcome to Match 53 between Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC from the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. The table toppers are in a rich run of form having not lost a single game so far this campaign. Their talisman Sunil Chhetri has been scoring well for them. Xisco and Delgado in the midfield area are complementing him and would like to do it today as well. Even without their star striker Miku, they have done well so far. Coming to the visitors, they are on a 6-match unbeaten run, winning 5 of those matches. Modou Sougou has been the man for them scoring 4 goals this season. Their foreign contingent of Joyner and Goian has been a rock at the back for them. This fixture will also witness the battle of Indian National team first choice keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu taking on counterpart Arminder Singh. Should be cracking game between these two heavyweights.