Mumbai face Delhi test with top 4 still within reach

by Chittu Shetty February 26, 2018

Mumbai City FC will put their best foot forward and try to register a win against Delhi Dynamos FC even though that may still not assure them a place in the play-offs of Hero Indian Super League.

Achille Emana Edzimbi of Mumbai City FC during match 39 of the Hero Indian Super League between Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC held at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, India on the 5th January 2018
Photo by: Arjun Singh / ISL / SPORTZPICS

Placed seventh with 23 points from 16 matches, Mumbai City now need to win both their remaining matches to qualify for play-offs. The Islanders next face Delhi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday, and the concluding league clash against Chennaiyin FC in Chennai on Saturday

Wins in both these games will take them to 29 points which could be the bare minimum needed to qualify. However, even if Mumbai win both the games, they still need other results to go their way. The visitors are encouraged by their fantastic last-gasp winner against NorthEast United FC in their previous game and Coach Alexandre Guimaraes has asked his team to keep fighting till the end.

“When you win these kind of games, the confidence is high. Everybody believes that; they know we are back (in contention) and now there is a possibility that we can qualify. It’s up to us to stay in the race by winning tomorrow,” Guimaraes said during the pre-match media interaction.

Mumbai City FC had won their home battle against Delhi Dynamos 4-0 with Delhi’s Matias Mirabaje being sent off. The team that Mumbai will face on Tuesday now has a completely different mindset and the coach is aware just how difficult they will make it for them to pocket full points.

Also Read: Blues continues domination, tough road for Jamshedpur ahead

“Sometimes when teams don’t have pressure, they start to flow and they are doing that. They are playing without fear of making mistakes which may have been the case in the beginning of the season,” said Guimaraes

Delhi Dynamos, already out of contention, are on a four-match unbeaten streak and are buoyant after registering an incredible 4-3 comeback win against defending champions ATK in their previous match. Delhi have already defeated Bengaluru FC at home and held Chennaiyin FC to a draw while picking up eight points from their last four matches.

“Tomorrow, I think my team is in a good position and good mood and I have very good hope for win. We have to show everyone that we play well not just in one game but all matches. Our aim is also to help improve the performances of our young players,” said Delhi Dynamos coach Miguel Angel Portugal.

Captain Kalu Uche, leading goalscorer with 10 strikes for last year’s semi-finalists, will hold the key after scoring in each of the team’s last four matches for Delhi Dynamos.

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