Mumbai City FC are back on the road as they take on Odisha FC on Thursday at the Kalinga Stadium in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season. Heading into the match, Mumbai City have 13 points from 9 games and are placed eighth on the table.
The Islanders will be keen to continue their strong form after their recent 1-0 win over Hyderabad FC. Head Coach Petr Kratky and forward Daniel Lalhlimpuia shared their insights on the team's preparations and goals for the upcoming fixture, emphasizing their focus on both defensive resilience and core processes.
Reflecting on their 1-0 triumph in their previous encounter, Petr Kratky opined, "It was very important, especially after the defeat at home, to see how we reacted and bounced back. The entire team did well to fight for points, and we achieved that. We need to build on this and ensure it's about the processes. I am very happy with how we handled the situation."
Kratky said, underlining his expectations for the clash against Odisha FC, "The first challenge will be to stop them from scoring, as they have scored 10 goals in two games. We need to focus on this because they seem to have found a way to win and score goals. We need to figure out how to stop that. The main focus, however, is on our own football—how we can play better and win the game."
On the same note, Lalhlimpuia added, "The preparations are the same as usual. We will have a plan for Odisha, and we must stick to and respect it. We have a great chance of winning as long as we do that."
Daniel Lalhlimpuia, during his time with the team, said, "First of all, I am very happy to be here. I would have liked to play more games, but it's okay—it's part of the game. The work doesn't stop here; I need to work harder in training. When the time comes, I'll be ready. I'm happy to be here."
The 27-year-old forward added, "After the game against Punjab, everyone was disappointed. We knew we had to give our best in the next match, and everyone reacted immediately. We earned three points against Hyderabad FC, which was very important. Now, everyone is motivated for our game against Odisha FC."
Defender Mehtab Singh's winning goal against Hyderabad FC marked him as the seventh different goalscorer for Mumbai City FC. Kratky commented on this positive development for the Islanders, "It's very good for us. It's not based on one player scoring goals, so it's very beneficial when multiple players score. I'm very happy with that. It adds more threat to the opposition because if only one player scores, it could be much easier for them. I'm happy that everyone is contributing to the success."
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the supporters in the team's journey, Kratky shared a heartfelt message to the fans ahead of the match: "For the fans, you are a big part of us. We want to play good football and win for the fans and the club. We will try to do that against Odisha. For those travelling to support us, thank you for your support, and we hope to celebrate together after the game." Kratky and his squad aim to carry their momentum forward with the fans' backing and secure another vital victory.
Where to Watch
The game will kick off at 7:30 pm IST on Thursday, 5th December 2024 and 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
