Through! The Islanders have sealed their spot in the semifinals of the 2018-19 Hero ISL, albeit with a bit of Sturm und Drang.
With the qualification hassles behind them, Mumbai City FC will aim at ending the league stage on a positive note as Jorge Costa’s boys make the trip to rivals FC Pune City for the highly-anticipated Maharashtra Derby tomorrow at 7.30pm.
A Modou Sougou hat-trick inspired the Islanders to snap a three-match losing run, coming out 3-1 winners away to ATK in a clinical performance. The win ensured that Jorge Costa could heave a sigh of relief and seal qualification for the second time in the club’s history.
Fortunes were quite the opposite for FC Pune City who fell to Delhi Dynamos, and in the process, their six-game unbeaten streak was halted by Josep Gombau’s side. Following a sensational turnaround of fortune after Phil Brown’s arrival, the home side will be gunning to seal the sixth spot on the table with a win tomorrow, which would ensure automatic qualification for the Hero Super Cup.
While there might not be much at stake for either side in competitive terms, expect fireworks because a Derby almost never fails to disappoint.
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 find your broadcaster HERE. You can also follow live action on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC.
Team News:
Head coach Jorge Costa has confirmed his 20-man traveling squad for tomorrow’s Maha Derby. Souvik Chakrabarti and Sehnaj Singh will miss out on the action with suspensions while Davinder Singh remains the only name on the injury list for the Islanders.
Phil Brown’s FC Pune City come into the Maha Derby with a depleted squad. Diego Carlos and Ashique Kuruniyan will be major misses with injuries while Marcelinho and Martin Diaz sit out with suspensions. Marko Stankovic, who sat out FCPC’s previous game, could return to the side tomorrow.
Who said what:
Jorge Costa: We don't know if we'll finish 3rd or 4th, but we'll play the semifinals and I'm very proud of my work, my staff and I'm very proud and happy with the work my players have put in.
Lucian Goian: For now, the semifinals are on the back of our minds. We want to go to Pune and give our fans a nice Derby win before the playoffs.
Raynier Fernandes: We can’t take our foot off the pedal because we’ve qualified. We want to go into the semifinals on a winning note.
League Watch
Results:
27 Feb: Jamshedpur FC 5-1 Bengaluru FC (Augustin 45’, Soosairaj 54’, Morgado 56’, 57’, Calvo 61’ Semboi 16’)
28 Feb: FC Goa 1-0 Chennaiyin FC (Coro 26’)
Fixtures coming up:
1 Mar: Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United FC (Jawharalal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, 7.30pm)
3 Mar: ATK vs Delhi Dynamos FC (VYBK, Kolkata, 7.30pm)
