ISL 2017/18: Balwant Singh eager to take on FC Pune City, says Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes
The race for a spot in the top four is getting intense in the ISL. FC Goa's loss against Bengaluru FC on Friday once again threw the race wide open. More importantly, it instilled hope in Mumbai City FC who are set to lock horns with FC Pune City in Sunday's crunch ISL fixture.
Mumbai are currently seventh on the points table with 17 points from 13 games. Pune, on the other hand, are in a much better situation with 25 points from 14 games. Mumbai City coach, Alexandre Guimaraes realises that a win will take them to within 2 points of Jamshedpur FC, who currently occupy the coveted fourth spot.
However, he is fully aware that Pune are not as desperate as them for all three points and expects the visitors to sit back and absorb the pressure.
Guimaraes says, "Yeah, Goa's result put us in a better situation but the first thing we have to do is win our games, right? When we have the chances in front of goal, we have to convert. Tomorrow we will play against a team who are also getting closer to their objective."
"We know Pune will try to put pressure on us by slowing down the game. We will have to be the one who takes the initiative. We are ready to do our best to try to win the game."
Mumbai will be hoping that their striker, Balwant Singh brings his A game tomorrow. Despite being among the leading goal scorers this season, the Indian forward has been in poor form off late and has failed to take his chances in front of goal. Guimaraes reveals that Singh is extremely eager to deliver a good performance in the Maharashtra Derby.
Guimaraes insists, "Till now, Balwant has been very productive for us. Sometimes, not just one player, the other players too have a bad night and that's normal. He has the temperament. Ever since we finished our last game, he has been counting the hours to play tomorrow's game."