MUMBAI: Mumbai FC will look to put behind their recent woes when they Sporting Clube de Goa at the Cooperage Stadium today in the tenth round fixture of the ongoing Hero I-League. After two back to back trips on the road, Mumbai FC will try to utilise the home advantage to turn their season around. Khalid Jamil’s men are unbeaten in their last six games in Mumbai, having won four out of them.
However, Mumbai FC’s record against Sporting Clube de Goa makes a poor reading with the Mumbai outfit failing to beat their Goan opponents in their last six meetings. The two sides met twelve days ago in Goa where Sporting Clube de Goa came from behind twice to prevail over the Mumbai outfit eventually. Nevertheless, both the coaches were quick to downplay any impact of that clash on Saturday’s match.
“Of course, that game in Goa will be at the back of our mind, but this is a new game and that victory will have no impact on this game. We will have to perform at our best if we are to repeat that win tomorrow,” Sporting Clube de Goa Head Coach Mateus Costa expressed to the media ahead of the game.
Costa revealed that Mumbai FC's envious home record is what they look to thwart now, “We have a great respect for Mumbai FC and their coach and what they have built here. I am also aware of how difficult it is for the visiting teams to play here. But we have our own ambitions which never change irrespective of the opponent."
Mumbai FC Head Coach Khalid Jamil asserted that their ardent home support would aid them to turn the table against the Flaming Oranje, “We have to forget what has happened in the past and look forward now. We must make a fresh start and Cooperage is the best place to do that. Our fans are always behind us right from the start of this season and I am hoping for the best."
Injuries have crippled Mumbai FC’s progress this season, but Khalid Jamil confirmed that things are improving on that front. “Taisuke and Minchol Son are improving and they are 50-50 for tomorrow’s match. We will have a late fitness test for them when we'll take the final call.”
Khalid Jamil also confirmed the signings of Sandeep Nandy, Clifford Miranda, Naoba Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi, but Jamil revealed that the Sporting game will come too soon for the new signings. “We have signed new players like Sandeep, Clifford, Naoba, Nabi and others, but the paperwork is yet to be completed, so they won't be available for tomorrow's game,” confirmed Khalid Jamil.
Mumbai FC will be hoping to pick up their first win in a month on their home turf, but an improving Sporting Clube de Goa side will give the hosts a run for their money today.
The Mumbai clash is scheduled to kick-off at 7 PM today and it'll be streamed live on I-League.Org.
