I-League: Mumbai FC look for their first win

Pune, Sep 28 (IANS) Mumbai FC will be looking for their first win of the campaign when they host Goan side Dempo SC in an I-League 2013-14 Round 2 encounter at the Balewadi Sports Complex here Sunday.

The hosts go into the game with a positive mindset after their 1-1 draw against another Goan side, Sporting Clube de Goa, in their opening round game.

On the other hand, Dempo come into the game after a 0-3 home loss against Shillong Lajong and will be hoping to kickstart their campaign under new coach Arthur Papus.

For Mumbai FC, midfielder Climax Lawrence and defender Valeriano Rebello will be up against their former team for the first time since joining Mumbai FC.

Climax along with fellow midfielders Nicholas Rodrigues and Ashutosh Mehta will be pulling strings from the midfield for the hosts for Jayesh Rane and Orok Essien playing upfront.

The backline will be led by the central defensive duo of Haroon Amiri and Anwar Ali. Both of them have now started to gel and coach Khalid Jamil expects them to forge a strong partnership.

“My attack wasn’t up to the mark in the previous game, but the defence under the leadership of Amiri and Anwar was excellent. Sunday is a big match and we can only get better and improve from here”, said Jamil.

Dempo have made numerous changes to their squad over the summer. The foreign quartet of defenders Simon Colosimo and Shinnosuke Honda, striker Billy Mehmet – who are new arrivals – and playmaker Roberto Mendes da Silva “Beto” who re-joins the club will form the nucleus of the team.

Dempo have also added India internationals, striker Jeje Lalpekhlua and medfielder Jewel Raja Shaikh to their squad while former Mumbai FC forward Gabriel Fernandes will be up against his old team for the first time.

Mumbai FC have never won a game against Dempo in twelve encounters so far in all competitions and coach Jamil is hopeful things will change Sunday.

In the previous I-League season (2012-13), both encounters between the two teams ended in draws.

The match kicks off at 4.00 pm Sunday.