It is all down to the final day of the ISL League stage, as holders of the ISL League Winners Shield, Mumbai City FC travel to Kolkata, to take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant in what is a titanic clash at the VYBK Stadium. For the Islanders, avoiding defeat allows them to create history, as they will then clinch their 3rd leage shield, and it will also be the first time a team will win it in consecutive seasons.
There’s plenty at stake and coach Petr Kratky believes it is a privilege for the team to be in a place where they are fighting for titles. He said, “It feels very good to be in this position, it is always a privilege to be high up on the ladder, and it is an exciting time for us. But, we must appreciate this opportunity, as it doesn’t come around very often.”
“There is a lot at stake here as we can win the ISL League Winners Shield again, but overall if you look at the season it has been quite good. It has come down to this game, that happens, like the final, I don’t think this game can be called as a very important game, because they are all important, to get the points in the other games, in the same way the Mohun Bagan game is important for us, just that the occasion is a little different and we are ready,” he added.
Speaking about the opposition, Mohun Bagan, who have had a change in coach since the last time the two teams met in the ISL, Kratky said, “There has been change in Mohun Bagan for a reason, and I think it has been a positive change from their perspective. They have made changes in the formations and they have bounced back in the season.”
Mumbai City FC have been unbeaten in their last 9 games, and have registered 47 points so far this season, the highest ever for the Islanders in the history of the ISL. Another 3 points, makes it a special half-century. But as they prepare for the contest against one of their bitter rivals, captain Rahul Bheke said, “The most important thing is the two training sessions before the game, we must train well and support each other because in Kolkata there will be a massive crowd supporting the home team. So, staying strong mentally will be the key in such an environment, and we must push each other in training and then be positive on the pitch.”
“The pressure of the crowd and the reaction for all the players will be different of course, but I really like playing in front of a packed stadium, and when they are all against us, it is about our mental strength and how strong we are during the game,” he added.
Mumbai City FC will be without goal-machine Vikram Partap Singh, who is suspended unfortunately, and Kratky noted that he will be a big miss. “We will miss Vikram in this game, but the strength of the team and the players coming in, that’s the advantage. And those players are good enough to jump in, and so essentially, nothing will change, and everyone is motivated for the game. Vikram will be there with us, supporting us too.”
Where to Watch
The game will kick off at 7:30 pm IST on Monday, 15th of April, 2024 and will be broadcasted on Sports 18 and Jio Cinema. For our global fans, you can find your broadcaster at www.indiansuperleague.com/broadcasters or follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC.
