MUMBAI: Mumbai FC take on defending Champions Mohun Bagan stadium today in a crucial game at the top of the Hero I-League table. One place and two points separate the two sides heading into the midweek clash as Mohun Bagan occupy the third place with ten points on the board, two more than Mumbai FC.
The Mumbai outfit have always found Mohun Bagan a tough opponent in the Hero I-League.
Mumbai FC are winless in ten games against the defending champions with their last win over the Mariners came during the 2009-10 campaign. Mohun Bagan are the only unbeaten team in this season’s Hero I-League after Mumbai FC lost their last game against DSK Shivajians on Sunday. Sanjoy Sen’s side have won three out of their four games this season while securing a crucial point in the Kolkata derby against East Bengal.
Mumbai FC’s home form has been particularly impressive with the men in yellow currently on a two-game winning run on home soil. Mumbai FC defeated Bengaluru FC 2-0 in their last game at Cooperage and that will make Mohun Bagan wary of the Mumbai outfit. Mohun Bagan Coach Sanjoy Sen admitted his side will have a tough game on Wednesday. “We are expecting a very tough game against Mumbai FC. It is never easy to play them here and this time, it will be no different,” Sanjoy Sen told the media ahead of the game.
The Mohun Bagan Coach highlighted the presence of some good attacking players in Mumbai FC’s rank as he urged his team to be cautious with them. “We know Mumbai FC can defend well, but this year they have some very good attacking players like Arata Izumi, Eric Brown and Sushil Singh and we will have to be careful of that threat,” expressed Sen.
Mohun Bagan have no latest injury worries ahead of their game against Mumbai FC, but will miss the services of Balwant Singh and Subhash Singh who are yet to get their match fitness.
Pritam Kotal, who is away with the Indian U-23 side, is also another notable absentee from the Mohun Bagan side.
Mumbai FC have to deal without Jayesh Rane who misses out due to being away with the Indian U-23 squad and coach Khalid Jamil admitted that Mumbai FC will miss the services of the young winger. “Of course, we will miss Jayesh as he is a regular starter for us, but we have replacements like Malemnganba Metei who can take his place and do the job for us,” Jamil addressed the media.
Khalid Jamil was words of praise for the defending champions before warning his side that anything less than a complete performance could prove to be fatal for his team. “They are a very good side with quality players. Plus, their form is also quite good, so we have to be at the top of our game to get a victory against Mohun Bagan,” Khalid Jamil added.
Mumbai FC are sweating on the fitness of skipper Taisuke Matsugae who injured his leg against DSK Shivajians on Sunday. Khalid Jamil will be hoping that the Japanese midfielder will recover in time to face the Champions as Mumbai FC has never won a game without the Japanese since he joined the club.
