Mumbai City FC shared the spoils with ATK Mohun Bagan in a 2-2 draw as both sides thought they had enough chances to win the game. The Islanders were ahead when Lallianzuala Chhangte handed them the lead. However a Mehtab Singh own goal brought the Mariners back in the game. But the hosts once again took the lead through Rostyn Griffiths. However substitute Carl McHugh restored parity for the Kolkata-based outfit who were already a man down.
Des Buckingham was impressed with his team’s brilliant gameplay in the first half. But he was also critical of his team’s second half performance which decided the result of the game.
However the Englishman rued the missed chances as he highlighted that they created enough chances to win the game. “We took the chances that we should have taken and created enough chances to win the game. We hit the crossbar three times and the post once towards the end. And there are numerous times that we should have probably scored,” Buckingham state at the post match press conference.
He shared how the Islanders played brilliantly throughout the entirety of the first half. But in the second half ATK Mohun Bagan came back in the game with the goal. “We played brilliant football not only in the first 20 minutes, but for the entire first half, and in the beginning of the second half, the first 10-15 minutes, they were right on top of their game, and they turned the tie in their favour and got the goal,” Buckingham added.
The English tactician spoke about the shift in momentum in this game that allowed ATK Mohun Bagan to comeback and take a point back home despite several adversities. He also shared how he was happy that the momentum of this game was mostly in their favour.
“In football, the momentum does swing, and you have to try and capitalize when you have it by your side. In the latter parts of the game, we certainly couldn’t. The pleasing thing for me is that we had the momentum on our side for the majority of the game, but when we do not have it, we need to make sure to be definitively solid and sound,” the Mumbai City boss pointed out.
The Islanders are now third in the ISL standings but having played a game more than the likes of ATK Mohun Bagan and ChennaiyinFC. So things can very easily change for them. Interestingly they will take on Chennaiyin FC next on November 12 as they look to build on this performance.
