I-League: Mumbai FC challenge awaits East Bengal
Nothing but a win will give Mumbai FC a respite from a spate of draws at home as coach Khalid Jamil fights to stay on in the top tier in the I-League. The task, however, is not as easy as it seems as Mumbai FC has to back-to-back matches against formidable opponents at the Balewadi Sports Complex.
The first challenge is East Bengal Club tomorrow in a Round 12 encounter, while it will be Pune FC on Saturday before Mumbai FC plays a string of away matches later this month. Mumbai FC is currently in 11th position with only eight points from 10 games, while East Bengal has 11 points, but the Kolkata club has played only seven games owing to their AFC Cup campaign that clashed with early rounds of the I-League.
Jamil was seething in the last match when Rangdajied United FC took a first half lead, but the equalizer from Ashutosh Mehta somewhat assuaged his temper. But having been still waiting for a home win, Jamil and his boys have a tough task to put their campaign back on track.
Sandjar Ahmadi, the Afghanistan striker, has been the most active of all in the last few matches, but he needs support upfront where Mumbai FC is still struggling to find a solution.
As a positive Mumbai FC can take into the match that when the two teams last met here, it was Mumbai FC who sensationally defeated East Bengal and Jamil would very much like to repeat in on Monday. Jamil is nonetheless positive ahead of the game and has hailed the team’s fighting spirit after coming from a goal down to secure a draw in the previous two home games.
East Bengal on the other hand has been struggling to come to terms with playing away from home and at home without much of a break. In the last five matches, East Bengal has won two and drawn two while one match was lost.
The win in th Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan AC has upped their morale and the Kolkata side look ready to rewrite books when they meet Mumbai FC in the Monday evening kick-off.
James Moga and Chidi Edeh will be the strikers that the home team should watch out for and contain if they harbour any chance of taking a point from the game or more.
