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Riding on the back-to-back home wins, Mumbai FC goes into fourth
straight home match against Chirag United Kerala at the Balewadi Sports Complex, with a chance to consolidate its position in the middle of the I-League, on Wednesday.
With No 12 placed Chirag United Kerala as their first opponent in the New Year, the Khalid Jamil’s side would not have asked for a better draw to put their campaign on a recovery path.
“The team is well prepared for the match. We couldn’t have asked for more and would like to take full points in the bag at the end of the day,” said the Mumbai FC manager Henry Picardo.
No wonder his confidence brims from the fact that their last two wins have been methodical and comprehensive rather than a slog, which had been the feature at the beginning of the season.
On December 28, it was Gbeneme Friday’s brace that floored high-flying Prayag United SC in the 3-1 win, with Keegan Pereira’s booking being the lone setback for the Essel Group-promoted team.
“Keegan is out for the match and he will be replaced by Noel Wilson. Otherwise the rest of the squad is in fine fettle and ready for the match,” informed Picardo, while saying that the team had set sight on gaining maximum points and nothing else from this match.
With Friday finding his touch and seasoned S Kuttymani also coming good, there would be enough on platter for Chirag United Kerala to negotiate.
Mumbai FC are currently on 10th position with 14 points while Chirag are two placed below but with just 8 points and staring at a relegation battle.
In the head-to-head, Mumbai FC and Chirag United Kerala are 2-2 even with Chirag winning the last meeting, 1-0 at home in April 2011.
