The Islanders’ match-up against Chennaiyin was billed as a litmus test and it proved to be that and a lot more. After going down to a Jakub Sylvestr goal, the Islanders fought in an incredibly gritty comeback. Hernán Santana headed in a corner right before half time and Adam Le Fondre found himself in the right place at the right time in the box (as he always does!) to flick one into the roof of the Chennaiyin net to give Sergio Lobera and Mumbai City arguably their most hard-earned win of the night.
After guiding Chennaiyin to the ISL runners-up spot last season, Owen Coyle made the jump to the Red Miners with aspirations of going one better. Jumping ship with him was the 2019-20 ISL Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis. Jamshedpur have had a mixed bag of a start to the 2020-21 campaign with six points in five games and most notably, the scalp of ATK Mohun Bagan. Coyle and co come off the back of a goalless draw against bottom campers SC East Bengal.
It wasn’t easy against Chennaiyin, it won’t be easy against Jamshedpur and Sergio Lobera has called on his team to be balanced in their approach to tomorrow’s game. Five in a row? Best start to the league ever? All that stands between Sergio Lobera and a chance to draw some daylight at the top of the table is Coyle and Jamshedpur Football Club.
Team News:
Laldinliana Renthlei saw red in Jamshedpur’s last fixture against SC East Bengal and will be missing from action tomorrow
Who Said What:
Sergio Lobera: JamshedpurFC are a good team, with and without the ball. They're dangerous because they take the chances they get and don't give away chances to their opposition very easily.
Cy Goddard: I think tomorrow will be a very tough game. They are a well-organized team. We're going to have to deal with the physicality of the game but I think everyone's going to be sharp and ready for the game.
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 find your local broadcaster here or follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC.
League Watch
Results:
11 Dec: ATK Mohun Bagan 1-1 Hyderabad FC (Manvir 54’; Joao Victor 65’ P)
12 Dec: Odisha FC 0-1 FC Goa (Angulo 45’)
13 Dec: NorthEast United 0-0 Chennaiyin FC
13 Dec: Bengaluru FC 4-2 Kerala Blasters (Cleiton 29’, Paartalu 51’, Dimas 53’, Chhetri 65’; Rahul 17’, Murray 61’)
Fixtures coming up:
14 Dec: Mumbai City vs Jamshedpur FC (GMC Bambolim; 7.30pm)
15 Dec: Hyderabad FC vs SC East Bengal (Tilak Maidan; 7.30pm)
16 Dec: ATK Mohun Bagan vs FC Goa (Fatorda, 7.30pm)
