Determined Mumbai FC looking to end Dempo hoodoo

by Kaushal Shukla April 11, 2015

Mumbai FC return to home comforts after they wiped off the agony of their 6-0 defeat at the hands of Shillong Lajong with a hard fought 1-1 draw away to Champions Bengaluru FC on Tuesday evening.

But Mumbai FC will have to defy history as they look to register their first ever victory over Dempo S.C in their history after failing to do so in fifteen previous attempts.

Dempo have managed nine wins against their hosts on Saturday, with the latest one coming in the group stages of the Federation Cup four months ago, while the other six games have ended all square.

But the five time Indian Champions haven’t been at their best this season having recorded just one win this season and are currently winless in their last eight encounters and all of their encounters on the road.

Mumbai FC too haven’t tasted victory in their last five games but have been a formidable force at Cooperage barring last week’s humbling by Shillong Lajong apart from which they have won twice while drawing three times.

Dempo’s neighbours Sporting and Salgaocar failed to find the net when they were the visitors to Cooperage earlier this season. Mumbai FC will be looking to blank another Goan team who are struggling to find the net regularly in the I-League on Saturday.

Mumbai FC are still sweating on the fitness of midfielder Taisuke Matsugae who is deemed 50-50 for the game by coach Khalid Jamil. But the Japanese is likely to miss out after missing the final training session ahead of the clash. Khalid Jamil will also be without his skipper and shot stopper Nidhin Lal who is still coming to terms with last week’s loss and is not ready according to the coach.

Dempo have no fresh injury worries as their long term absentees remain on the side lines.

Both sides are due a win, and it promises to be an intriguing contest at Cooperage as fans in Mumbai are likely to turn up in large numbers to support the club, the players and their much troubled coach Khalid Jamil after the events in the last game.

Dempo will draw inspiration from Shillong Lajong who turned over Mumbai at Cooperage. It’s hard to believe that a team as good as Dempo is struggling for wins and three points could just be around the corner for Trevor Morgan’s men.

The match is LIVE on Ten Action. Kick off at 4:30 PM IST