By I-League Media
MUMBAI: Mumbai FC will host Shillong Lajong in a relegation battle in the Hero I-League when they meet each other at the Cooperage Stadium on Sunday evening.
Khalid Jamil’s side, who are at the bottom of the league, need to win this tie anyhow to stand a chance of surviving this season.
The Gaffer himself accepted it’s a must win the match for The Yellow Submarines, “Every time we have faced Lajong, it hasn’t been an easy match. If you take them leniently, they will punish you.” He added more, “Tomorrow is our last chance, it’s a do or die situation. It will be very difficult to beat them considering their better record against us.”
When asked about what changes do Mumbai FC need, Khalid said, “Our home performance has been good but we couldn’t fair well in the away games.”
“We have played defensive football in most of our games, given our situation, we need to play attacking football now,” Khalid said ahead of their game against Shillong Lajong.
“Other than Pratik, who is suspended for tomorrow’s game, everyone is fit and available,” Khalid said when asked about the availability of players.
Khalid seemed quite impressed with Lajong’s Forward Penn Orji who is having a great season so far.
“Penn has been good this season, he scored two great goals in their last match. Along with Penn, even Lajong’s junior players have been impressive.”
Like Khalid, Lajong’s gaffer Thangboi Singto also spoke about the importance of tomorrow’s match, “A good result is a must for us and as well as for Mumbai FC. It is going to be a tough game as the last game against Goa we didn’t perform as we expected to. We are professionals so we’re ready to take all the challenges tomorrow.”
“Mumbai FC has one of the best individuals, foreigners and as well as Indians. They have good players in every position.” Thangboi added.
Thangboi also disclosed that mainstay in the defense line, Aiborlang Khongjee will miss the match following his sustained injury. “Aibor has not travelled with the squad as he is injured. Along with him, our Brazilian Striker Uilliams is suspended and will miss tomorrow’s match.”
On the competitiveness of I-league, Thangboi said: “This is a competitive league; you have to fight for every position, right from the top to bottom.”
“This is the ground where we had our best result in the history of Lajong. So playing on artificial turf won’t bother us.” Lajong’s Head Coach Thangboi concluded.
Following Aizawl FC’s win tonight, both teams would play out of their skin to clinch all three points tomorrow. While a draw might provide some respite for the visitors, the home team need four points from next two matches to stay afloat in the Hero I-League. The match will kick off at 07:05 PM and it’ll be streamed live on I-League.Org.
