Mumbai City FC are set to lock horns with Punjab FC in an away fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. Despite coming off a loss against Jamshedpur FC at home, Coach Petr Kratky and forward Vikram Partap Singh are confident that the team can hit the ground running again in this crucial phase of the league stage.
Talking about the team’s reaction after the last game, Kratky stated, “We've had good conversations after the last game. The boys know and embrace the kind of football we want to play and now it is just about getting better and improving on the pitch.”
“We have talent, we believe in our players on and off the pitch. The coaches are good enough, the players are more than capable of bringing in the results, so it is just about application and doing better than our oppositions,” Kratky further added.
The players are determined to win three points against Punjab FC having lost the reverse fixture earlier this season. Talking about the opposition, Kratky said, “Punjab is a strong team which is very well-coached. They know their strengths, their system and play good counterattacking football. Reflecting on our previous encounter, we lost, but we played well and were unfortunate with a goal being disallowed which could have changed the result, so we are confident.”
“Punjab too is coming into the game after a tough run of games, and they will be determined to do well at home. It is going to be a tough but exciting match tomorrow and we just have to be better than them on the day.”
Vikram has been a pivotal player for Mumbai City FC this season and his contributions on the left wing have a big influence on the team’s results. The 22-year-old believes that there are plenty of games left to be played and the club is still going to fight for trophies.
Vikram stated, “The team is doing well in training, and we are gradually getting better with every session. My favourite thing about this club is our mentality. Every season, our goal is to win trophies and we players understand that there are crucial matches and points to be won.”
While concluding, Kratky addressed the fans and assured them that the team will do everything to bring positive results. He said, “We understand that the fans are upset with the inconsistent form of the team and have every right to be. They are a part of us and we have to accept their opinions and take it on the chin. We want our fans to support us in both good and bad times. We need to regroup, be positive, work harder and do our best for our fans, that is the only way we can change things.”
Where to Watch
The game will kick off at 7:30 pm IST on Thursday, 16 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
