Mumbai FC season review 2015-16: Part II

by Siddharth Yadav May 17, 2016

MAHA DERBY

After going undefeated in the first four games, we went on a 10 game winless run which proved to be a major blow to our campaign. Following our victory against Bengaluru FC, we travelled to Balewadi Complex for the Maha Derby, not to face Pune FC but to take on DSK Shivajians, who were the new face of I-league this season.

Our season turned upside down as we lost the first Maha Derby of the season by the score-line of 1-0.

Eric Brown, Taisuke Matsugae and Sushil Singh had come close to cancel out Douhou Pierre’s opening goal, but couldn’t break DSK’s backline as we succumbed to our first defeat of the season.

There was another huge blow in the dressing room as our Captain Taisuke Matsugae suffered a long term injury.

But Coach Khalid Jamil had no complaints about his players as he felt they gave it their all, while claiming Mumbai didn’t quite have the rub of the green on their side. “I can’t really complaint. I felt my players gave it their all. To be honest, I think we were slightly unlucky today. On another day, we would have got something from the game, but sadly today wasn’t to be that day,” expressed Khalid Jamil after the game.

DISMAL RUN OF GAMES

After suffering their first defeat, we hosted defending champions Mohun Bagan in front of an energetic and noisy Yellow Brigade. In the pre-match press conference gaffer Khalid Jamil had stated: “There was not much time to train after the last match. Two days is not sufficient enough, but I am not complaining.”

“Mohun Bagan is a good team that has good quality players. They have always done well in the I-League. We will have to play on top of our game if we hope to beat them,” Khalid admitted.

However, there were not much constructive play from either of the teams as both the outfit had to share the spoils in an even contest.

Mohun Bagan’s Sony Norde had the best chance of the game when his attempted shot rattled the post from just five yards. The match ended in a goalless draw.

After earning a crucial point against Bagan, we travelled to Goa and Meghalaya to face Sporting Club de Goa and newly promoted side Aizawl FC, respectively.

Against Sporting Goa, we took the lead twice through Sushil Kumar’s twin strikes, but the host fought back in the last fifteen minutes to complete an unlikely comeback.

Odafa Okolie converted two late penalties to earn Mateus Costa’s side a 3-2 victory.

Prior to our next game against Aizawl FC, gaffer Khalid Jamil mentioned that the side were looking to recover from Sporting Goa’s loss. “We are hoping to bounce back and perform well after a disappointing defeat against Sporting Clube de Goa. Aizawl are a good team, but we will work hard and try to get our first away win against them,” Jamil said at the pre-match press briefing.

However, Aizawl against all the odds went on to defeat us 2-0 in front of a massive home support. Ayeni and Lalmuankima scored two quick goals in the second half to cause a major upset against a strong Mumbai side.

With Minchol Son stretchered out against Aizawl, we roped in Clifford Miranda, and added another goalkeeper to our squad by signing vastly experienced Sandeep Nandy for the remainder of the season.