ATK promised to score, but did not deliver while Mumbai City FC fell short on sharpness in the rival goalmouth, reducing their Indian Super League match to a goalless draw at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Saturday.
Gerson Viera’s header over the horizontal off a Manuel Lanzarote free-kick for ATK and Rafael Bastos’ shot flying wide for the home team were the only times the goalkeepers were tested.
Forwards Balwant Singh, Everton Santos and defender Viera were familiar faces at MFA, having donned MCFC jersey in earlier seasons and enjoyed fans’ support. It was the turn of ATK fans to cheer for them as the visitors probed the home team defence.
Amrinder in goal remained on his toes, blocking a free-kick from Lanzarote from far out, while Arindam Bhattacharya guarding the visitors goal watched wayward attempts sail wide.
The defensive wall in both sides played high up, reducing space for mid-fielders to build moves. The tempo stayed low in the absence of any defence-splitting passes through space or floaters over the defence.
MCFC’s Komal Thakral blasted wide after gaining possession and with the rival goal in sight.
The second half produced more action, starting from a body block by Viera to deny Paolo Machado.
Thakral made way for local player Jayesh Rane as the visitors coach Stephen Coppell made the first substitution, then took out Balwant for Hitesh Sharma.
Jose Costa made three changes, Rayner Fernandes (in place of Milan Singh), striker Pranlal Bhumj (in place of defender Anwar Ali) and Mathias Mirabaje (for Bastos). ATK captain Lanzarote came out as Coppell sent in Moroccoan El Maimoumi.
MCFC remains in fourth place, ATK in sixth after eight matches apiece.