Mumbai FC Determined to win against Dempo

Mumbai FC Determined to win against Dempo

Mumbai FC, fighting against all odds, showed solid guts and gumption to return back from Bengaluru with a point well made against the hosts Bengaluru FC in their 15^th round I-League match early this week. Playing with a high-level of concentration, Mumbai FC producing a strong, steady display and did an excellent job to weather the storm against the home club and almost pulled off a win. But they conceded a goal at the death and had to share honours in a 1-1 draw.

Mumbai FC, the lone club from the city participating in this top-tier competition in the country, have now quickly shifted their focus to the next game. They are keen to put up an improved display and are determined to try and regain their winning form when they take on former champions Dempo Sports Club, Goa in a 16^th round match, at the Cooperage ground on Saturday.

Khalid Jamil, coach of Mumbai FC said that he has the confidence of his players and expects a good result against Dempo on Saturday. “The choice of players for the last match was perfect and the players executed the plans perfectly. Right from the goalkeeper to the strikers, all contributed towards the draw. I am now confident that they will once again produce another similar performance which will create an impact on the match,” he said during a pre-match press conference.

Jamil was also pleased that stopper back Justine Stephen, who was unwell and not available for the last round, returns to the backline. Goalkeeper Nidhinlal A.C. is also expected to regain his place in the starting eleven. Japanese medio Taisuke Matsugae, who is still nursing a calf injury is a doubtful starter.

The Mumbai FC coach when told that his ace striker Josimar Da Silva has fired blanks in the last three games seemed unconcerned. “Josimar may not have scored for some time. But players go through such lean patches and nothing to worry about. It’s only a matter of time before he regains his scoring touch,” stated Jamil.

In the last two I-League season it was even-stevens, with all the four meetings ending in draws. However, the Mumbai club had lost 0-2 to Dempo in the group phase of Federation Cup in early January and would like to reverse the verdict on Saturday.

The Mumbai club will bank of the support from the home fans for this key match before travelling for three successive away games.

Mumbai FC at present occupy the seventh position with 13 points from 12 outings, three of which they have won. Another win will lift the Mumbai club to sixth position. The Goan club, who have been going through a lean patch and have just one win to their credit which was against Sporting Clube de Goa in January and with just 10 points from 11 matches, currently sit in the 10^th spot.

The match is scheduled to start at 4.30 pm and will be telecast live on Ten Action.