I-LEAGUE Media Team

MUMBAI: High-flying Royal Wahingdoh will hope to continue their winning run when they take on a resurgent Mumbai FC in a Round 7 match of the Hero I-League at the Cooperage here on Friday.

The Shillong-based side have been one of the revelations of the season, sitting pretty on top of the table with 13 points from six matches, including four wins, a draw and the sole defeat to Bengaluru FC. Wahingdoh’s aggressive display combined with admirable fighting spirit has taken their rivals by surprise.

The confident league debutants began their fairytale start with a win over city-rivals Shillong Lajong and followed it up with impressive away wins over Salgaocar and newly-formed Bharat FC. They were handed a reality check by Bengaluru FC, who thrashed them 4-0. But the Santosh Kashyap-coached side bounced back with a gritty performance against Dempo which ended in a draw before easing past Sporting Clube de Goa 2-0 in the previous encounter.

They will be tested once again on Friday against a Mumbai FC side that has looked formidable in the last two matches. Kashyap, no stranger to the Cooperage, said he did not expect his side to be on top of the table but was confident of a win on Friday. “We are playing well so we are the favourites going into the match. I am expecting a positive result tomorrow,” Kashyap said.

Wahingdoh had defeated Mumbai 2-1 in the Federation Cup. But Mumbai FC have been a different unit in the last few matches. Returning to Cooperage after five years and playing in front of a packed stadium seems to have revitalised Khalid Jamil’s side, who had a rather indifferent start to the season. Their stunning 3-0 win over Salgaocar last week helped them move out of the relegation zone and Jamil would be keen to build on the momentum his side has gained by playing at home for the last two weeks.

Midfielder Jayesh Rane and Japanese import Taisuke Matsugae were highly influential in Mumbai’s win but Jamil would be pleased with the performance of his defence in the last two matches. They have managed to keep back-to-back clean-sheets and the back line has been capably led by the Nigerian Chika Wali. He has been well-supported by Justin Stephen while goalkeeper Nidhin Lal has been solid between the posts.

The same can’t be said of Wahingdoh, who’ve conceded seven goals in six matches. However, their forward line has performed well and Kashyap will be hoping for more of the same from them. Once again, skipper Densill Theobald and rising star Jackichand Singh will be key for Wahingdoh apart from their inspirational Liberian striker Bekay Bewar.

Jackichand, however, is a doubtful starter having picked up an injury. Kashyap said he will take a final call on his participation in the match tomorrow. Climax Lawrence, on the other hand, may return for Mumbai, Jamil said.

Match KO: Feb 20 @ 7 PM IST
Hashtag: #MUMvRWFC