Mumbai City FC return to action at the Mumbai Football Arena on 31st January as they take on East Bengal FC. The Islanders come into the game in good form, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Mohammedan SC last week.
Reflecting on that result, head coach Petr Kratky emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum. “Every win is important. We have to keep going. The way we finished the last game shows that we can do it again.”
Defender Mehtab Singh, who has been a key figure at the back, expects a tough contest but remains optimistic. “I think it will be challenging like all games. We will take it step by step. Last game we had a good result at home and the plan is to get three points from the next match as well.
Kratky echoed his defender’s sentiments, reinforcing the team’s determination. “Definitely, the goal is to get three points, we need to push hard not just for ourselves but for our fans as well. We are getting stronger and better. The pitch is where we can show how much we are improving day by day. We all feel we will have a strong end to the season.”
Mehtab, who leads the league in successful passes, with 1008 completed at an 88% accuracy rate over 17 matches, highlighted the team’s emphasis on playing out from the back. “Passing is key for us, especially because we focus on build-up play from the back. So, we try to get the ball ahead to the forwards as quickly and as accurately as possible in every match.”
Kratky also spoke about the strength of his squad, particularly in midfield, and the competition for places. “We have a lot of strengths in this team, we just need to play the football we want with belief. We have healthy competition for the positions, players need to work hard to keep their place, which is very good for me as a coach.”
Despite the challenge posed by East Bengal FC, the head coach confirmed that Mumbai City FC’s approach would remain the same. “Our approach doesn’t change; we must be very good in every area of the pitch. Whether it is defence or attack, transitions will be important as we are aware of East Bengal’s quality.”
With the squad high on confidence after their latest victory, Mehtab highlighted the positive atmosphere in the dressing room. “The team is feeling confident, not only did we score goals last week, but we also managed a clean sheet, so the mood and morale of the camp is good.”
Kratky also took a moment to acknowledge the role of the fans ahead of the home fixture. “The fans are a part of us, they are part of the club. The lads need them and their support, but they also need us to deliver results for them. We have to help each other win the game. Like I have said before they are the 12th member of our team.”
Where to Watch
The game will kick off at 730 pm IST on Friday, 31st January 2025 and will be broadcast 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
