Mumbai aim to become first team to qualify for ISL semis (Preview)

Mumbai, Nov 22 (IANS) Mumbai City FC will seek to seal Indian Super League (ISL) football semi-finals qualification by winning against title holders Chennaiyin FC here on Wednesday.

They are approaching the match full of confidence after demolishing Kerala Blasters 5-0 in their previous game.

Mumbai are at the top of the standings with 19 points from 12 matches and three points should be good enough for a top-four finish, as per an ISL release.

"We are on the way. We know that to achieve the first goal is to get to the play-offs. It's good to have these points with two games to be played but we have to get more. A total of 19 points are not enough. We must have (more) good performances," Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes said.

Mumbai's marquee player Diego Forlan scored a hat-trick against Kerala and will be expected to continue his good form.

"We will have to play better (against Chennaiyin FC) than the last game to try and win to be in a very good position. We saw the game Chennaiyin played against ATK and they are still on course. They are very tough. They are champions and champions always like to fight till the end," said the Mumbai City coach.

Chennaiyin have looked far from defending champions this season and are placed sixth with 14 points from 11 matches. They, however, have shown glimpses of form in some matches and coach Marco Materazzi will be hoping his team finds a way to win.

"May be we need a little bit of luck. We are still confident of making the play-offs. Except against Delhi (Dynamos), in every other game we have shown good attitude and spirit," said Materazzi.

Chennaiyin have won just a match away from home this season. Much will depend on the goal-scoring prowess of Italian striker Davide Succi, especially with goalscorers Dudu Omagbemi out of form and Jeje Lalpekhlua injured.

"Football is not science or maths. All we can do is collect as many points as possible. What matters is getting to the playoffs and once you are there, the whole thing starts all over again," said Materazzi.

--IANS

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