It’s going to be a tough challenge and test of character for Mumbai FC when they take on defending champions Mohun Bagan, Kolkata in a sixth round match of the 2015-2016 AIFF Hero I-League football tournament, to be played at the Cooperage ground, here, on Wednesday evening. The match kicks off at 7.00 pm.
Mumbai FC Head Coach Khalid Jamil and defender Ashutosh Mehta during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday
Mumbai FC, the lone club from the city, competing in the country’s premier football tournament, had a dismal last outing losing 0-1 to DSK Shivajians in an away match. To regain lost ground, the Mumbai outfit will have to put their best foot forward to try and get a positive result against the Kolkata outfit, unbeaten in the last five meeting between the two sides. Infact, the giants from Kolkata have succeeded in winning three times.
For the Mumbai club to turn things around, they have to ensure that they can once again find their scoring form, which completely deserted them in the previous match in Pune. The playmakers, skipper Taisuke Matsugae, who is a doubtful starter, Izumai Arata, Eric Brown and Malemngamba Meetei or Steven Dias will have to show more creativity and combine effectively to find ways to open up the compact rival defence and create opening for the strikers Sushil Kumar Singh and Ryuki Kozawa. The attackers will also have to capitalize of the half chances and get the goals which will prove crucial for the team.
Min-Chol Son the heart of the Mumbai FC defence along with Pratik Chowdhary in the centre, Ashutosh Mehta, who will be playing his 100th game and Srikant Rammu, will have to work extra hard to keep the rival attack, spearheaded by the dangerous Sony Norde, under control and deny them space inside their territory.
Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil stated that although there was not much time for preparation he has no issues. “There was not much time to train after the last match. Two days is not sufficient enough, but I am not complaining,” he mentioned at the pre-match press conference.
The coach did not confirm on the availability of Taisuke, who sustained a calf injury in the last game. “Taisuke is recovering well, but I will check his fitness during training later in the evening and then decide if he will play,” Jamil further stated.
“Mohun Bagan is a good team that has good quality players. They have always done well in the I-League. We will have to play on top of our game if we hope to beat them,” said the Mumbai coach.
The Kolkata side is also on the road to recovery following their humiliating 0-6 defeat against Shandong Luneng Taishan FC in the AFC Champions League in Ji’nan, China early last week. They are certain to go flat out and aim for a win which will put them in pole position.
Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen sounded a note of caution. “Mumbai FC have a strong defence and are also capable of playing good attacking brand of football. Overall they are difficult to beat at home,” he pointed out.
The Jamil coached Mumbai outfit, are currently in fourth position with 8 points from two wins and the same number of draws in five matches, while Mohun Bagan, the only team unbeaten in the 9-team competition, are a rung higher in third place with 10 points from three wins and a draw in four games. A win for the home side will lift them to the third spot.