From one stern test to another. After overcoming the Jamshedpur FC challenge, the Islanders face yet another unbeaten side - Chennaiyin FC. Des Buckingham’s Mumbai City are up against the Marina Machans tomorrow at the Fatorda Stadium with action kicking off at 7:30PM.
The Islanders squared off against a resilient Jamshedpur side who came into the tie having not lost in their opening four games of the campaign. With Cássio Gabriel scoring in just the 3rd minute of the tie, the Islanders got off to a flyer. This was the fourth time in five games that Des Buckingham’s side had scored inside the opening 10 minutes of the game. Cássio wasn’t done yet. Two assists followed for Bipin, who tapped it into an empty net and one for Angulo, who chopped exquisitely and curled one into the far corner. Jamshedpur clawed their way back into the game in the second half making it 3-2. Ygor Catatau, as he’s done so often, came off the bench to seal the tie. The Brazilian shielded off Narender Gehlot to dispatch a strike from a near-impossible angle past Rehenesh to secure all 3 points.
With two wins and two draws in four games, Bozidar Bandovic’s Chennaiyin FC are the only remaining unbeaten side in the 2021/22 ISL, albeit having scored only four goals in the process. However, the Marina Machans have conceded just the two goals in four games - the meanest defensive record in the league so far. Barring Rafael Crivellaro, Chennaiyin FC have seen an overhaul of their foreign contingent with five new faces, one being that of Vladimir Koman. The Hungarian international has scored two out of CFC’s four strikes, and found the back of the net in Chennaiyin’s previous game - a 1-1 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan.
Bandovic’s preference to keep things compact on the pitch and eek out results, however they may come, will be put up against Buckingham’s attacking and expansive set up. As was the case in the Islanders’ previous encounter, a clash of styles is in store along with a mouthwatering tie.
Team news:
Vignesh Dakshinamurthy will miss out with Rowllin Borges who are both working towards full fitness.
Rafael Crivellaro, who has only recently resumed light training, remains on the sidelines for Chennaiyin FC recovering from an injury.
Who said what:
Des Buckingham: "I want us to play attractive, quick attacking football. That does include trying to create chances and take the game to the opposition, rather than sit back. What we do need to be wary of, mindful of and it is something we are addressing, is the amount of chances that we give the opposition."
Mandar Rao Dessai: "About Chennaiyin, I think they are doing good, got good results and they are unbeaten. But we have been also doing well. So we go into this game keeping all the positives things what we’ve done throughout the tournament so far."
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 download the OneFootball app, find your broadcaster at indiansuperleague.com/broadcasters or follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC.
League watch:
12 Dec: SC East Bengal 1-1 Kerala Blasters (Marcela 37’; Vasquez 44’)
13 Dec: Hyderabad FC 5-1 NorthEast United (Sana 12’, Ogbeche 27’, 78’, Aniket 90’, Siverio 90’; Danmawia 43’)
Fixtures coming up:
14 Dec: Odisha FC vs Jamshedpur FC (Tilak Maidan; 7.30pm)
9 Dec: Mumbai City vs Chennaiyin FC (Fatorda Stadium; 7.30pm)
