Homecoming!
The Islanders braved two daunting away fixtures to start off the 2019/20 Hero ISL campaign, picking up four points from a possible six and notching up two cleansheets in the process. Now, Jorge Costa’s boys are bracing for home action for the first time this season!
Mumbai City FC are back at the Arena and posing a challenge are a refurbished Odisha FC side. The action kicks off at the Mumbai Football Arena tomorrow at 7.30pm.
After an end-to-end affair in Chennai, the Islanders were made to rue some missed chances in the first half, coming away with only a single point. Despite not making it two wins in two in Chennai, Jorge Costa insisted that he’s happy with his side’s performances.
The key for the Islanders will be to continue the good form and tomorrow’s game presents a golden opportunity to do just that in front of the MCFC faithful at the Arena!
Focus: Odisha FC
Much like their predecessors’ final campaign in 2018/19, Odisha FC haven’t had much luck going into the start of the 2019/20 season. Much like the Islanders, Odisha have had a start on the road with Josep Gombau’s side playing four away games.
After shifting base from Delhi, the side retained the core of their team and made some influential foreign signings. Despite having a numerical advantage in their first game of the season against Jamshedpur, they could not capitalise on it and succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. The trend continued when they made the trip to Guwahati and were on the receiving end of yet another defeat.
Gombau has stressed that the spirits are up and despite being away from home for a lengthy stretch, Odisha FC are fired up to pick up their first points of the season.
Team News:
After a sending off in Chennai, Souvik Chakrabarti will be in the stands at the Arena tomorrow, serving his one-match suspension. The other absentees for Jorge Costa’s side will be Mato Grgic, Modou Sougou and Sourav Das, all recovering from injuries.
Tomorrow’s visitors will have a suspension of their own to deal with. Spanish centre back Carlos Delgado saw red in their previous game in Guwahati and will miss tomorrow’s action for Odisha FC.
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 follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC
League Watch
Results:
28 Oct: FC Goa 1-1 Bengaluru FC (Coro 90’ P Udanta 62’)
29 Oct: Jamshedpur FC 3-1 Hyderabad FC (Farukh 34’, Aniket 62’, Castel 76’ Marcelinho 45’)
Fixtures coming up:
30 Oct: Chennaiyin FC vs ATK (Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai 7.30pm)
31 Oct: Mumbai City FC vs Odisha FC (Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai 7.30pm)
1 Nov: NorthEast United FC vs FC Goa (Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati 7.30pm)
