Sporting Clube de Goa got a bit difficult task to capture the Airtel I-League title after only managing a 1-1 draw against Mumbai FC at Nehru Stadium, Goa, on Saturday.

Nine points adrift of I-League leaders Bengaluru FC, Sporting Clube needed full points to stay in touch with the title race, but the hosts were forced to share the spoils, despite taking an early lead.

The draw meant Sporting Clube are now eight points behind Bengaluru FC and have just a match in hand.

Sporting Clube surged ahead through a 18th minute penalty scored by Australian striker Boima Karpeh but Mumbai FC equalized in the 56th minute to pour cold water on Sporting’s title hopes.

Sporting Clube made four changes from the team that surrendered meekly against Dempo Sports Club in the previous clash but despite the changes, Sporting were unable to enforce themselves in the manner they had hoped for. There were smooth moves at the start and Boima Karpeh tested the goalkeeper’s resolve with an early shot, but, for the opponents, there was no cause for alarm.

Sporting, however, won a penalty in the 17th minute when Mumbai FC goalkeeper Kunal Sawant was adjudged to have brought down Karpeh in a goalmouth melee. Karpeh himself went up to take the penalty and did it by sending the keeper the other way.

Mumbai FC were unnerved by the early strike but soon regained their composure. Climax Lawrence started pulling the strings from the midfield, and with Ghanain striker Yakubu Yusif, Ebi Sukore and Mohammad Rafi all piling on the pressure, it came as no surprise when Sporting citadel crumbled.

The equalizer for Mumbai FC came in the 56th minute as Yakubu showed good composure to control the ball and slam it home past a crowded Sporting defence.

Soon after scoring the equalizer, Mumbai FC almost took the lead for the first time. Yakubu’s volley sailed just past the post and almost immediately Sporting goalkeeper Melroy Fernandes dived to keep Rafi’s booming shot away.

Sporting Clube made a double substitution to spice up their attack and both Nigerians, Ogba Kalu and Martins Ekwueme, had their chances. Both were blocked by the Mumbai FC goalkeeper.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)