Mumbai FC goalkeeper Pawan Kumar wary of desperate DSK Shivajians

by Kaushal Shukla February 5, 2016

Mumbai FC have a good start to the 2016 I-League campaign with two draws and two wins in their opening four games. The unbeaten start to the season is a lot down to a strong Mumbai FC defence that has been breached just once this season, that too by a Jackichand Singh cross which fortuitously sneaked past the composed custodian Pawan Kumar.

Pawan Kumar has played a big part in Mumbai FC’s three shuts outs so far in this campaign, the latest of which came against his former club Bengaluru FC. Pawan was on the fringes at Bengaluru and a move to Mumbai has seen his fortune change as Pawan Kumar seems to have cemented his spot between the sticks ahead of the likes of Sanjeeban Ghosh and Kunal Sawant.

The shot-stopper was in good mood as the side prepared for the short trip to Pune to face DSK Shivajians on Sunday. Our media team took this opportunity to learn his thoughts about the game against the Pune outfit.

“I feel it will be a good game of football. DSK Shivajians are a good team and at home they would want to give their best. We are also playing well since the last two games and I think it will be a great game for the spectators to watch,” opined Pawan Kumar, looking forward to the game at the weekend.

While Mumbai FC have been mean in defence, DSK Shivajians have had their problems finding the back of the net and are yet to score their first goal in the I-League. This bit of statistic spells good news for Pawan Kumar, but the goalkeeper thinks otherwise. “I feel they will be desperate to score. We didn’t score for the first two games this season and I know how much we wanted to end that run. I feel it will be the same for DSK Shivajians who will try extremely hard to score their first goal against us. We are of course ready for them and will focus on keeping another clean sheet,” Pawan Kumar suggested.

Pawan Kumar highlighted the feel good factor in the squad at this moment, while stressing on the need to let it continue by winning the crucial away game in Pune. “Right now the mood in the camp is excellent. We are playing well and we will try our very best to win the game on Sunday. It is important for us to win an away game now after the two wins at home,” Pawan Kumar told our media team.

Kumar went on about his understanding with his defenders as he singled out regular communication as the reason for Mumbai FC’s staunch defensive displays. “We communicate a lot during matches and I feel that is helping us. I am really enjoying playing and starting matches here at Mumbai FC and what it to continue,” Kumar added.

The most recent shut out against Bengaluru FC was the most pleasing one for Kumar as it came against his former club Bengaluru FC and he admitted he felt slightly different playing against his former employers. “It felt really nice to win against Bengaluru FC and keep a clean sheet. For me it was slightly different playing against them, but I enjoyed it,” Pawan Kumar disclosed.

As he prepares for the crucial DSK Shivajians clash, Pawan Kumar will be hoping for another clean sheet to bring back home. Considering Mumbai FC’s form at the moment, a clean sheet would go a long way in strengthening Mumbai’s bid for all three points on the road.