Mumbai City FC go down 0-3 in maiden AFC Champions League outing

Riyadh
Mumbai City FC began their journey in the AFC Champions League with a 3-0 mauling by Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab, who marked their return to continental football after a seven-year absence with an emphatic victory here.
India’s Mumbai City FC are clubbed in Group B.
A double from Argentine Ever Banega (36′ penalty, 68′) was complimented by substitute Turki Al Ammar (77′) as Marius-Ninel Sumudica’s men registered a clean sheet at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Friday night.
Mumbai City FC manager Des Buckingham employed the traditional 4-4-2 formation with Phurba Lachenpa in the goal. He had young Vikram Pratap Singh and Cassio Gabriel together at the top while Ahmed Jahouh and Apuia were holding the midfield. The back four comprised Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Mourtada Fall and Mandar Rao Dessai. Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte did duty on the wings.
The Saudi side wasted no time in taking the game to their opponents, and inside two minutes goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa was forced into making his first save after Hattan Bahebri broke free down the left and squared for Nawaf Al Abid whose left-footed effort was rescued by the tip of the Mumbai City goalkeeper’s gloves.
Halfway through the opening period Al Abid was presented with a golden chance to open the scoring when he was sent through on goal by a sublime Carlos pass, and he attempted a dinked finish past the goalkeeper, but his effort passed just wide off target.
Al Shabab thought they had opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Bahebri’s shot from the edge of the box had two deflections before falling for Ahmed Sharahili with the goal at his mercy, but the centre-back fluffed his lines from a few yards out.