Mumbai City played out a goalless draw against Kerala Blasters FC in their MG Indian Super League 2026-27 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday.
The hosts created the first chance in the 11th minute when Mohammed Sanan’s cross found Hormipam Ruivah inside the six-yard box, but his effort went into the side netting.
The Islanders came close to scoring their first open-play goal of the season in the 23rd minute. Muhammad Ajsal collected a lobbed pass from Carlos Delgado before delivering a cross from deep into the box for Noufal, who was positioned inside the six-yard box. Noufal struck the ball with his right foot, but Amrinder Singh reacted quickly to make the save.
Mumbai City made an early substitution in the 39th minute, with Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung replacing Leandro Otormín. The first half ended goalless.
Both teams returned from the break determined to find the breakthrough. In the 52nd minute, Valpuia’s free-kick was cleared by Amrinder Singh, but the ball fell to Akash, whose header struck the woodwork. In the 71st minute, Noufal raced down the wing before unleashing a right-footed effort from distance. Amrinder Singh made the save, but the rebound fell to Ajsal, whose follow-up effort sailed over the crossbar.
Mumbai City made three more substitutions in the closing stages. Hridaya Jain replaced Ajsal in the 85th minute, while Supratim Das and Yuvraj Kadam came on for Valpuia and Farukh Choudhary, respectively, in the 90+2nd minute. Kerala Blasters sent in multiple crosses during the closing stages, but the Mumbai City defence held firm to secure a clean sheet as the contest ended 0-0.
Manolo Márquez’s side will now turn their attention to their first home fixture of the season against SC Delhi at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday, 1 November.
