Off the mark for 2020!
After shrugging off the burden of two consecutive defeats, the Islanders picked up a mighty important win against the defending champions Bengaluru FC to bring back on track their shout for a spot in the Hero ISL 2019-20 play-offs. The Islanders now make their way to brand new territory to move one step closer.
Mumbai City FC make their bow in the City of Nizams for the first time ever and are up against a beleaguered Hyderabad FC. Action commences at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium here in Gachibowli tomorrow at 7.30pm.
After a pair of losses on the trot, the onus was on Jorge Costa’s side to bring their campaign back on track and the Islanders duly delivered. Modou Sougou and Amine Chermiti found the back of the net capitalising on an error-riddled performance by Carles Cuadrat’s side. With the result, Mumbai City kept a third clean sheet of the season, a first in over 10 games. The Islanders became the first side to do a league double over Bengaluru FC – one for the history books.
Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, have had very little to rejoice. The Nizams sit rock bottom of the pile with just 5 points and haven’t won in their last 10 games. Consequently, Phil Brown was relieved of his duties as the head coach by the Hero ISL debutants and were swift to confirm the appointment of former Bengaluru FC boss Albert Roca.
The Spaniard, however, will only take the reigns next season and will serve as a technical advisor for the remainder of the current campaign. Nevertheless, it will be a fresh breath of air for Marcelinho and co and a fresh start for the club who now are playing for pride.
The Islanders desperately needed the three points at the Arena last week to maintain pressure on Odisha FC and the rest of the pack. Jorge Costa’s side now arrive in Hyderabad knowing that a win will propel them back to where they want to be – in the top four, thanks to Bengaluru’s emphatic 3-0 win over Josep Gombau’s side.
Buckle in, it’s going to be a thriller!
Form Guide (Last Five Games)
Hyderabad FC: D-L-L-L-L
Mumbai City FC: W-W-L-L-W
Team News:
Serge Kevyn returns from suspension for the Islanders and has made the trip to Hyderabad with the traveling squad.
Defender Dimple Bhagat will serve his time after seeing red against Odisha FC. Joining him in the list of absentees for the home side is Rafael Lopez who misses out with an injury.
Who Said What:
Jorge Costa: It’s a very important game for us. From the beginning of the season, we’ve retierated that we want to finish in the top 4. Now with very few games left, we cannot afford to make mistakes and lose points.
Bidyananda Singh: Winning our last game has certainly given a boost of confidence to the entire team. We’ve prepared well and we’re ready to face Hyderabad FC.
Modou Sougou: We need to be focused on the good things that we can do. We did the same against Bengaluru FC and all our efforts will be to repeat that performance against Hyderabad FC.
Where to watch it
The game will kick off at 7.30pm IST and will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, Hotstar and Jio TV for all viewers in India. For our global fans, you can follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC.
League Watch
Results:
18 Jan: ATK 2-0 FC Goa (Pritam 47’, Rane 88’)
19 Jan: Jamshedpur FC 3-2 Kerala Blasters FC (Acosta 39’, Castel P 75’, Ogbeche OG 87’ Messi 11’, Ogbeche 56’)
22 Jan: Bengaluru FC 3-0 Odisha FC (Brown 23’, Bheke 25’, Chhetri P 61’)
Fixtures coming up:
23 Jan: Chennaiyin FC vs Jamshedpur FC (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai 7.30pm)
24 Jan: Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC (GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad 7.30pm)
25 Jan: FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa 7.30pm)
