Al-Jazira 1-0 Mumbai City FC: Twitter reacts as Islanders suffer narrow loss in the AFC Champions League
Ali Mabkhout’s first-half penalty was enough to hand Al Jazira a crucial three points in a 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC in Group B of the AFC Champions League 2022 on Thursday.
The Islanders spent most of their time defending and trying to get ahead on counter-attacks.
Des Buckingham's side suffered an early injury blow as their defender Amey Ranawade was stretched off to be replaced by Methab Singh just nine minutes into the game.
Al-Jazira's first chance of the game came after 18 minutes when Abdulla Ramadan sent in a cross to Bruno who brought out a save from keeper Mohammad Nawaz.
Five minutes before half-time, Mumbai City FC conceded a penalty after Abdoulaye Diaby's shot hit Mehtab Singh's hand inside the box.
Al Mabkhout made no mistake from the spot to hand Al-Jazira a lead heading into half-time.
The second half started with Mumbai City FC trying to probe more and their efforts almost reaped reward as Mourtada Fall attempted a header from Chhangte's cross just before the hour mark that ended up striking the crossbar before going out of play.
Al-Jazira went compact for the last 25 minutes and it was only in the 87th minute that the Indian Super League side almost levelled the game as Rahul Bheke attempted a shot from distance that struck the crossbar on the way out of play.
Here's how fans reacted to this game's outcome on Twitter:
An inspiring performance from #TheIslanders to the very end! ?
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) April 14, 2022
We take our positives and move forward ➡️#AJCvMUM #IslandersInAsia #ACL2022 #AamchiCity ? pic.twitter.com/oD10K3hhzQ
I don't know where they spend such big money because they play worse than air force club ??♂️
— A Teenager (@MemesMces) April 14, 2022
Played very well in second half...
— Footbalindia (@Footbalindia) April 14, 2022
Korean referee is man of the match...
Missed Diego in the last 20 mins. He would have surely scored but well played. For the first time we saw an asian team defending against an Indian team with 9 men! Beat them on Monday.
— Soumen Mukherjee #DemergeATKMB (@Foreveryoutinni) April 14, 2022
Defeat as expected... With 39% ball position.... So many missed chances,, Indian football scenario...
— Rohit Paul (@RohitPa09529655) April 14, 2022
Displayed superb performance against top team of UAE.. completely dominated the 2nd half..Bheke shot hit the crossbar.. Mourtada missed two easiest chances ..Mehtab uncharacteristically raised hand in front of goal and gifted penalty..hard luck for Mumbai Fc.
— Anonymous (@Anonymo21838902) April 14, 2022
Unlucky to lose but heroic and morale lifting performance from the boys ❤️?
— LFCMafiaKingPin (@LFCMafiaKingPin) April 14, 2022
They played first time against a non arab club and won by outstanding performance of korean referee
— Rocky Rakesh Singh (@RockyRa98711770) April 14, 2022
You should have won the match easily . This team Jalzeera was not as good as the last opponent.
— Chetan Singh Chouhan (@chetanschouhan_) April 14, 2022
Vikram and Vipin are getting easily outmuscled ..coach should seriously think of that..
— Anonymous (@Anonymo21838902) April 14, 2022
Well played and thrilled 2nd half, proud of @MumbaiCityFC s performance .
— avani roy (@Harichanroy2) April 14, 2022
Very well played Mumbai ??
— Civil Engineer (@Muller53737154) April 14, 2022
We deserved a point today ....but it's not our day
Keep sprit high and thrash them on Monday ?
Team started playing much better after that waste Bipin was subbed off
— Blade Warrior (@Zacku) April 14, 2022
Bipin was shit
— Blade Warrior (@Zacku) April 14, 2022
Well played during second half, first half no one were sure what they were doing. The foreigner Inman was an utter waste. Hope they had played Vikram in starting 11.
— TSeeker (@TSeeker16) April 14, 2022