MUMBAI: Back-to-back drawn games at home against Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC has given Mumbai FC some respectability in the Hero I-League 2017. Placed eighth among 10 teams, MFC certainly has the squad to finish higher up the order, but needs performances to match its talent and experience.
Minerva Punjab FC is the next challenger for MFC, for which moving out of the shadows of six away defeats will take time.
Two early wins at the Cooperage, two drawn games in the two previous encounters is an indicator of an unsettled side.
Captain Steven Dias sat out two big matches (against Bagan and Bengaluru) with injury being the official version.
Brazilian midfielder Alex Silva sparked the MFC revival on his I-league debut against Bagan. India U-22 striker Farukh Choudhary is another asset on whom coach Santosh Kashyap is banking on to finish off moves.
Minerva had won the last time both teams clashed in an away game. The Mumbai team coach is determined to avenge the defeat.
Kashyap said: “We were going through a bad phase when we played Minerva away, but the team has settled down now.”
Captain Densil Theobald echoed his coach’s view. “We are playing well now as a team. A couple of good results will put us back on track.”
Goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani has been brilliant, the defence competent, though subdued.
Minerva is familiar with the Cooperage turf conditions, from I-League Second Division appearances earlier.
The side from Punjab has shown its capability after promotion to the next level, winning 5-4 against Churchill Brothers FC Goa and holding DSK Shivajians in two previous matches before making the trip to Mumbai.
Minerva coach Surinder Singh said: “Mumbai FC are a good team and high on confidence after their draws against Bagan and Bengaluru. It should be an interesting match.”
The visitors defence has let in 18 goals, against nine scored in 10 matches. MFC’s thrust on attack, with Silva as playmaker, may pay off against a rival placed one step ahead in seventh spot.
