It has not always been smooth sailing for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League but the Mumbai franchise has made an impressive start as it attempts to break the jinx.
For two successive years, Mumbai failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ISL, despite being loaded with talent. In the first season, Mumbai finished seventh from among the eight participating teams and could finish only sixth last year.
The third edition of ISL has not even kicked off but it’s Mumbai City that has made news for all the right reasons and look the best bet to seal one of the four semi-final spots.
Guided by Alexandre Guimaraes, the Costa Rican coach who took his country to two World Cups, Mumbai are striking rhythm and form as evident from the fact they are unbeaten so far. In Dubai, where they had pre-season training for more than a month, Mumbai played four friendlies against tough United Arab Emirates (UAE) sides, winning two and drawing the other two.
"The team returned to Mumbai unbeaten which is a very good thing. We played some tough opponents, in really hot conditions, and the boys pulled through when needed. To be here for 35 days has really helped the team understand me and each other better. We are more prepared for the season every day," said Mumbai coach Alexandre Guimaraes.
Mumbai have always had a big name since the inception. If Freddie Ljungberg was the star name that signed for Mumbai as marquee in the inaugural edition, Nicolas Anelka was on hand last season. This time around though Mumbai have an even bigger name in Diego Forlan, the 37-year-old who took Uruguay to a fine fourth place finish at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Forlan was the joint top goal-scorer at the 2010 World Cup and it will be his ability to pluck goals from thin air that can aid Mumbai. He, however, cannot do it alone but with Gaston Sangoy, a 31-year Argentinean striker who won the Polish I Liga last season, besides him, he need not worry.
Then there is India captain Sunil Chhetri to bank upon even though he will miss a couple of games due to his commitments with Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup.
“We are heading into the season a lot more prepared than in the past. The team has looked really good in the pre-season and Alexandre is doing some great stuff with the boys. We can see everyone put in that extra yard during practice, helping each other out, and there is a great unity within the team. We hope to carry the unbeaten pre-season spirit into the season and provide the fans with a successful ISL,” said Mumbai City CEO Indranil Das Blah.
Blah’s confidence stems not just from Mumbai’s encouraging pre-season friendlies in Dubai but also the squad that they have managed to put together. They have one of the best squad on paper and it is best dramatized in their domestic signings, picking up some of India’s best-known players.
Sunil Chhetri needs no introduction and joining him from last season is Fanai Lalchhuanmawai, also from Bengaluru FC. The new additions to the squad are tried and proven performers on the domestic circuit like Amrinder Singh, formerly with Atletico de Kolkata and among India’s most impressive goalkeepers, Jackichand Singh, Udanta Singh, Pronay Halder, Aiborlang Khongjee, Boithang Haokip and Aizawl FC captain David Lalrinmuana.
Even the foreign players that they have signed for the season are established names with plenty of international matches under their belt. It will be a pity if for some reason Mumbai City fail to make the grade again.
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