Mumbai FC welcome Sporting Club de Goa for their 1st leg tie of Federation Cup

by Siddharth Yadav April 30, 2016

Mumbai FC all geared for the first leg of Federation Cup 2016 when they will host Sporting Club de Goa at Cooperage Stadium on Sunday evening.

Mumbai’s gaffer Khalid Jamil and Sporting’s head coach Mateus Costa addressed the media following their 1st leg match.

Khalid Jamil: “It’s a new format so we will only see if it’s good or not after the tournament,” Jamil said when asked about the new format of Federation Cup.

Mumbai FC have been undefeated at Cooperage since their 6-0 loss against Shillong Lajong.

“We have been good at Cooperage but this is now Federation Cup we are talking about where definitely Sporting will field their strongest team.”

“The last time we met at Cooperage, they played better. Luckily we got a point.”

Talking about Sporting’s player this season, Khalid Jamil was impressed with some of the Indian players playing in Sporting.

“The Indian players in Sporting have been excellent this season. They are one of the few sides with quality homegrown players.”

On the availability of players, Khalid said: “Everyone is fine and they are available for the selection.”

Sporting Goa’s gaffer Mateus Costa expressed his desire to see his side play in the new format of Federation Cup.

Mateus Costa: “It’s a new and a good format, we have more chances to do well.”

Talking about tomorrow’s game, Costa admitted that it is difficult to beat The Yellow Submarines.

“We have to put up more than 100% to see off Mumbai. Playing against them is always difficult,” Costa said.

Costa on whether the last couple of matches have boosted their morale.

“In the last press conference I did mention that our last league result will help us in Federation Cup. It gives us a major boost. Hopefully we will put up a good performance tomorrow.”

Costa also ruled out Captain Odafa and Al Amnah as they are sidelined with injuries.

“Odafa and Amnah have not travelled with the squad. We don’t want to risk the players just for the sake of Federation Cup.”

The Sporting Goa’s gaffer ruled out any issues regarding the hot humid weather of Mumbai.

“We don’t have any issue with the weather. One big positive thing is we are playing in evening.”

Like any other manager, Costa has admitted that he will take each match at a time and will not think about future.

“Every team wants to win the Federation Cup. We have to take each match at a time, I have not even thought about the return leg.”

“Federation Cup is just an extension, if there were more teams in I-league then it would have been obviously carried on.”

“Federation Cup should happen every year. Every player wants to play in such big tournament. This is one of the top tournaments of the country,” Costa added.