ISL 2022-23: I wanted a new challenge – Mumbai City FC midfielder Vinit Rai

Mumbai City FC midfielder Vinit Rai has revealed that he wanted a new challenge despite being a first-team regular at Odisha FC. Mumbai City FC had agreed on a loan extension of Vinit Rai with Odisha FC and will stay at the club till the end of the upcoming season of the tournament.

Rai played 10 matches for the Islanders in the previous season of the Hero ISL after he made a move to the club from Odisha FC on loan in January 2022. Furthermore, Rai was part of the Mumbai City outfit after they had finished at second place in the Group stage of the AFC Champions League.

Rai featured in five of six matches of the tournament for Mumbai City. Meanwhile, Vinit started his ISL career in 2016 and he has the experience of playing 79 matches. The 24-year-old has played for teams like Delhi Dynamos, Odisha FC, and Kerala Blasters FC in the ISL.

Vinit Rai said while talking to Sportskeeda, “Yes, I was a key member of the Odisha side, but I wanted a new challenge and Mumbai City FC are one of the top clubs in the country. There is so much competition in my spot at the Islanders, I have to fight to get my place in the team.”

Rai feels that healthy competition in the starting XI in the Islanders will make him a better player as he will push himself.

He added, “And that will make me a better player, there will not be a single day where I will be low in concentration or intensity. I have to bring my best game to the table every day in every training session. The real competition is with me to improve my game and always try to be the best in the game whenever I get a chance. I am really looking forward to the upcoming challenges this season and I am loving it.”

Meanwhile, the Islanders could not qualify for the semifinal stages in the previous season of the tournament. Mumbai City FC could only win nine matches in the 20 matches they played and they will be looking to turn the tables.

Vinit added, “The last season wasn’t the season that we wanted, we were competing for the playoffs and the trophy but unfortunately, we could not progress to the knockouts and ahead. This is how football and life is, you can’t expect the same thing every year and you have to be focused every time, every game, and life will surprise you.”