AFC Champions League 2023-24: Mumbai City FC set to challenge Neymar’s Al Hilal

by Chittu Shetty August 24, 2023

The AFC Champions League 2023-24 is set to kick off with Mumbai City FC poised to take on the challenge of Group D, which features none other than Neymar Jr.’s Al Hilal FC.

The tournament draw, held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has pitted Mumbai City FC against formidable opponents, including FC Nassaji Mazandaran and Navbahor.

Neymar Jr., the global football sensation who recently signed with Al Hilal FC, is undeniably the star attraction of the tournament. Mumbai City FC, under the guidance of Coach Des Buckingham, will face the daunting task of outperforming not only the tournament’s most successful club but also other strong contenders.

To accommodate the infrastructural limitations at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai City FC will establish their home base at Pune’s Balewadi Stadium for the group stage’s ‘home’ games. The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the group stages promises an additional layer of excitement and scrutiny to the matches.

In the previous edition, Mumbai City FC garnered attention for their commendable performance, securing seven points and securing the second position. Coach Des Buckingham is eager to display the club’s progress and style of play on the continental stage, emphasizing that this could be the last direct entry for India for some time.

Captain Rahul Bheke expressed the team’s eagerness to exceed their previous performance and advance in the tournament. “We have to do better than the last time we played in the AFC Champions League. Our focus is on ourselves, so we will try our best to go into the next round,” Bheke emphasized.

With the tournament’s commencement on the horizon, Mumbai City FC fans are undoubtedly anticipating exhilarating clashes and the opportunity for their team to make their mark on the global football stage. The challenging group promises intense battles that will test the mettle of the players and showcase Indian football’s growth.

Also Read: Mumbai City to play AFC Champions League home games in Pune

Also Read: Durand Cup 2023: Quarter-final line-ups announced

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