Mumbai FC seeking their first win as in form Salgaocar FC come calling

by Kaushal Shukla February 13, 2015

Mumbai FC will be banking on home advantage to register their first win of this season’s I-League when they entertain an in-form Salgaocar side on Friday evening at Cooperage, in what will be the revamped stadium’s first full game under lights.

Mumbai FC are still without a win this season after ending a run of three straight away defeats with a goalless draw at home against Sporting Club de Goa, the cross town rivals of tomorrow’s opponents Salgaocar.

Salgaocar on the other hand come into this game on the back of a morale boosting win over last year’s runners-up East Bengal last week. Salgaocar are unbeaten in their last three and have let in just three goal in their five games so far.

Mumbai FC on the other hand have found the net just three times in four games, a statistic which Khalid Jamil’s men would want to change sooner rather than later.

Mumbai FC have been boosted by the return of midfielder Paresh Shivalkar who has returned to fitness and also by new signing Abhishek Yadav, who is certain to play a part in tomorrow’s tie according to coach Khalid Jamil. But Mumbai FC are sweating over the fitness of veteran Climax Lawrence who is likely to sit this game out, having missed the final training session. Rahul Bheke, Mumbai FC’s long ball specialist is also out with an injury.

Salgaocar also have their share of injuries with Saran Singh, Umesh Harijan and Karanjit Singh all set to miss out. Darrly Duffy will be facing Mumbai FC after his heroics against East Bengal, despite not being fully fit.

Salgaocar have a superior head to head record against Mumbai FC and have won their last three games against their hosts for tomorrow, which includes a 1-0 win away to Mumbai FC last season.

Mumbai FC head coach Khalid Jamil, admitted his team needed to produce the results sooner rather than later. But he believes it will be a tough assignment for his side when they take on Salgaocar tomorrow. “Salgaocar are a reaaly good side and we need to alert all the time”.

Salgaocar coach Derrick Perreira was in a confident mood ahead of tomorrow’s clash and hailed his side’s performance in their last game and hoped his side would carry on the form into this game. “Our last game was our best performance so far and we took all our chances. We will need to repeat that performance again if we are to win tomorrow against a side which is always fighting for the points”.

Mumbai FC will be hoping they could kick start their campaign and bag their first three points of the season, but a stern Salgocar test stands in between them and that elusive win.

The game will kick off at 7 pm IST and will be shown LIVE of Ten Action in India.