Mumbai FC take on United SC as they hope to continue fine form

Mumbai FC – File Photo

Riding on a string of successful results, an ambitious Mumbai FC will strive to push higher up on the I-League table by extracting full three points from the match against United SC, on Wednesday (October 9), at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.

The home side, coached by the former Indian international Khalid Jamil, has enjoyed a successful run in the earlier part of the season as they remain unbeaten at the end of round three. The Yellow and Blue brigade, who still continue to play their home games away from home in Pune as the Cooperage is still not ready to host an I-League game, will be high on confidence after their dominating 2-0 victory over the reigning I-League champions, Churchill Brother during the weekend clash in Goa.

However, Jamil will not commit the mistake of taking this early sting of results for granted as he knows that the season is far form over. “There’s a long way to go as the season has just started, but at the moment I am very happy. I have feeling that maybe today we can do something,” said the 36-year-old coach, after the emphatic win over the champions.

Mumbai FC will once again be seen relying on their midfield combination of Nicholas Rodrigues, Ashutosh Mehta, James Singh and the veteran Climax Lawrence to dominate the game with Anwar and Valeriano Rebello marshalling the back line, Orok Essien will be expected to pick-up from where he left against Churchill brothers.

If on one hand, we have the confident and determined Mumbai FC, on the other the mighty United Sikkim from the footballing hub of India cannot be ruled out. Except for the last encounter against Bengaluru FC, which they lost by a mere margin of 1-0, Eelco Schattorie’s men have been at their best form and are placed third, a place higher than Mumbai FC, in the league standings at the end of round three.

The Kolkata based team will be expected to come out all guns, blazing with the likes of all time top scorer Ranti Martins, C.K. Vineeth and Mohammed Rafique, looking to dominate the proceedings from the very first whistle.

Though at this point it is difficult to ascertain which team will finally steal the show, fans can expect a mouth-watering encounter as the two crave for those coveted three points, anything less of which will culminate in disappointment for both.