PANAJI: Sporting Clube de Goa host Mumbai FC in the second leg of their Hero Federation Cup tie at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, after having won by a narrow 0-1 margin in the first leg in Mumbai. The kick-off for which is at 4:30 PM IST.
The Goan side earned a crucial win at the Cooperage stadium after a 90th minute winner by Sumeet Passi in what was largely a cagey encounter. With the Hero Fed Cup being played in a home and away format for the first time, the Flaming Oranjes go into Wednesday’s encounter with a crucial away goal.
At the Official Pre-Match Press Conference, Mumbai FC’s Head Coach Khalid Jamil was optimistic about tomorrow’s clash against the Goan Club side. “It is difficult but not impossible and we still have a chance. In second half, we got two chances which we missed,”
“We have to take our chances if we are to win tomorrow’s fixture”, he added.
Sporting Goa have a better head-to-head record this season against Mumbai FC in the Hero I-League, having won (3-2) and drawn (2-2) in the last two encounters.
Having an away goal advantage and playing at home, Sporting Goa are obviously favourites to progress into the semi-finals of the Hero Federation Cup. Head Coach of the Flaming Oranjes’ Mateus Costa revealed that despite the advantage, his side would be cautious of complacency tomorrow.
“When you play this sort of a Tournament you have to be extra cautious. We got an away goal but this is a new game. We are going to put our best foot forward and we are just focusing on advancing to the next round”, Costa informed.
“We will change the squad because in two days time we are having a match. So definitely you will see some changes”, he added.
The big question however is on how the teams are going to line-up for tomorrow’s clash. Sporting Goa are known to be an attacking side while Khalid Jamil’s men are known for their defensive fortitude. However, with the tables turned, the Goan Club side have the luxury of having a one-goal cushion forcing Mumbai FC to chase the game.
This also sets up an intriguing contest with Mumbai FC having to score to stay alive in the competition. The away side will turn to the likes of Suhsil Singh and Eric Brown to get them the goals required to overturn their deficit from the first leg.
“We are playing with Sporting. We don’t have to change anything and just play normally the way we play,” Jamil suggested.
Both sides finished strongly in the Hero I-League to stave-off relegation and both sets of players would look to carry the momentum in tomorrow’s fixture.
