Mumbai FC, Mohun Bagan gear up for crucial battle

by FC Admin February 10, 2016

Mumbai FC take on defending Champions Mohun Bagan at their Cooperage stadium on Wednesday evening in a crucial game at the top of the I-League table. One place and two points separates 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 Khalid Jamil managed outfit have found Mohun Bagan a tough opponent to tackle as Mumbai FC are winless in ten games against the defending champions in the I-League, with their last win over the Mariners dating back to the 2009/10 campaign.

Mohun Bagan are the only unbeaten team in this season’s I-League after their opponents for tomorrow, Mumbai FC, lost their previous 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 in for a tough game on Wednesday as its always the case against Mumbai FC at Cooperage. “We are expecting a very tough game on Wednesday. It is never easy to play Mumbai FC in Mumbai and this time 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 of 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 fresh injury worries ahead of their game with Mumbai FC, but will miss Balwant Singh and Subhash Singh who continue their recovery from injuries. Pritam Kotal who is away with the Indian U-23 side is also another notable absentee from the Mohun Bagan side.

Mumbai FC to will be 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 Rane as he is a regular starter for us, but we have able replacements like Malemnganba Metei who can take his place and do the job for us,” Jamil told 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 damaging 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 if we are 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 be recover in time to face the Champions as Mumbai FC has never won a game without the Japanese since he joined the club from Shillong Lajong last season.