Mumbai’s domestic players script an unprecedented comeback

Panaji: FC Goa had scored two goals in the first-leg semifinal before the hour mark, prompting Mumbai City coach Petr Kratky to look at his options on the bench.

Already forced into an early substitution when left-back Akash Mishra picked up an injury in the 12th minute, Kratky decided to gamble with attacking changes. But what he had on the bench were all domestic options, with Jorge Pereyra Diaz (suspended) and Alberto Noguera (injured) unavailable.

He still made the changes. Bipin Singh replaced Slovakian forward Jakub Vojtus in the 65th minute, and when nothing seemed to work, Kratky’s final changes took everyone by surprise. The coach pulled out two foreign players – midfielder Yoell van Nieff and defender Tiri -- with just two minutes of regulation time left to be played and sent in Sanjeev Stalin and Gurkirat.

What happened next left everyone amazed as Mumbai staged a marvellous comeback with the first goal in the 90th minute and two more in stoppage time, all scored by domestic players.

This was the first instance a side scored multiple goals during second half added-on time in a playoff clash. That Mumbai ended the game with just one foreigner on the field was even more special.

“It was a good game, a fantastic game to watch with a high-scoring finish,” Kratky said after win on Wednesday. “It was an equal game. I didn't expect there to be five goals. I thought there would be one or two.”

The second-leg semifinal will be played in Mumbai on Monday. Since there is no ‘away goal’ rule in the ISL now, Goa will have to win by two or more goals. If they register a solitary-goal win, the match will head into 30 minutes of extra time and then penalties, if still tied.

“We have to be really strong because FC Goa are a quality team, and they were the first on the ladder for half of the season for a reason. They have a quality team, and they can hurt you,” said Kratky.

Goa coach Manolo Marquez was disappointed with how the match ended, particularly after attracting the biggest crowd for the first-leg semifinal at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

“The fans were fantastic,” said Manolo. “The atmosphere was very, very good. Fantastic for the players to play in this atmosphere. We knew there is a big team in front of us. In some moments, it was a small team, because we played very good in some minutes. We are sad. Maybe this is the reason we love football because of these crazy things."

Goa will be without Mohamed Yasir for the second leg after the winger had to be substituted midway into the game due to injury.

“I feel that Yasir cannot play more in the season, even if we qualify for the final. It’s my feeling because it is a muscle problem with the hamstring. Maybe it's nothing, I wish, but difficult that he can play both games,” said Manolo.