Mumbai City FC has had its challenges in the recent past. After a mixed ISL season, where the Islanders finished fifth in the standings and failed to make it to the semifinal stages, Des Buckingham’s men have done decently in the AFC Champions League.
In fact, Mumbai City had suffered a huge blow as their talisman striker Igor Angulo had a calf injury which kept him on the sidelines. Furthermore, midfielder Brad Inman contracted Covid-19 twice to add salt to the injuries.
However, despite all these obstacles, the Islanders have fought well. In fact, Mumbai City became the first Indian club to win a game in the tournament after they defeated Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya by 2-1 on 11th April.
There is definitely a day and night difference between ISL and AFC Champions League as Mumbai City FC is facing the best clubs from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar in the latter tournament.
“When you come into something you have never been to before, that can be an air of the unknown, which is scary and also exciting. The way we have tried to approach and embrace it is that of excitement. These players have been in a bio-bubble, day in and day out, and have come to a country, where nobody’s been to before.
“There are a lot of challenges and unknowns to come in to. I spoke to the players before the two friendlies, that they can compete against them because we have our own strengths compared to the other teams and a very clear way of what we want to do. We showcased it in the friendly games and that set us up for the first game but we didn’t get the result, but it set us up for the second game, where we did get the result,” said Buckingham before their last game of the competition.
Mumbai City has managed a solitary win so far and would aim to end the competition on a high. The Islanders won’t be able to advance to the next round but there is no doubt that they have learned a lot as a unit.
“We need to be at our best. Al-Shabab is one of the favorites and has a wonderful history in this competition. We need to be on top of our game against any team in the CL and not just physically. We can get away with some small things in the ISL. For example, how we press or how we set up defensively, and if one or two don’t quite get it quite right, then the players at this level can see that and take advantage of it. It’s about being at our best and if we are at our best, then it’ a matter of when we are in possession, we show what we can do. We have a way of playing and we won’t change it no matter the competition.”
Buckingham added that if they can once again beat Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, it will also inspire other Indian clubs.
“We have picked up a win and I hope it’s not the last win, not just our team but for other Indian teams as well. It shows it can be done. We have picked up further results against strong teams, which is hugely pleasing. We have got on the ball and played our brand of football, which we have seen in patches in the ISL and now we have taken it to this level. I am very excited to see what I will be able to see tomorrow,” said the Englishman.
