Tag: Mumbai City FC

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Mumbai City FC Begins ISL Season with 2-1 Win Over Kerala Blasters

Diaz found the back of the net in the added time of the first half as skipper Rahul Bheke capitalised on space on the right flank to send an accurate cross inside the box…reports Asian Lite News

Mumbai City FC notched a narrow 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC in their inaugural home fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday. Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Lalengmawia Ralte scored in either half for the Islanders, with Kerala Blasters FC’s central midfielder Danish Farooq slipping in with a strike between those two goals.

Diaz found the back of the net in the added time of the first half as skipper Rahul Bheke capitalised on space on the right flank to send an accurate cross inside the box. The Argentine striker somehow managed to get his feet to the ball and slotted it past the Blasters’ goalkeeper Sachin Suresh to help the Islanders enter the with a one-goal advantage.
Kerala nearly equalised courtesy of Dimitrios Diamantakos a few minutes into the second half, as they regrouped and began searching for their equaliser with greater energy.

Farooq rushed ahead into the 18-yard box to meet a cross by Sandeep Singh, who was introduced as a substitute to help the Blasters stretch the game and attack more from the wider end of the pitch.
However, Mumbai realised that they were arguably getting outnumbered in the centre of the park. Apuia began donning a more advanced role and formed a lethal attacking triangle with Greg Stewart and Diaz.
As the international duo scraped past their markers, the ball hopped over Kerala’s backline. Apuia showed impressive awareness to get behind the defensive unit and nod the ball past Suresh to bag the winner for the Islanders.

Kerala’s quest for a late goal didn’t materialise until the end, with their defender Milos Drincic and Mumbai’s midfielder Yoell van Nieff being sent off just before the full-time whistle. The Islanders will host Hyderabad FC on October 28 for their upcoming fixture in the league. On the other hand, Kerala Blasters will resume proceedings post the international break by locking horns against NorthEast United FC on October 21. (ANI)

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Sport Sports

Rampant Mumbai City FC hammer Bengaluru FC 4-0

The win takes Mumbai City FC within one point of Hyderabad FC, who are sitting at the top with a game in hand. The Islanders will play NorthEast United FC in Guwahati next on November 25…reports Asian Lite News

Two goals each in two halves helped Mumbai City FC hammer Bengaluru FC 4-0 in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 match at the Mumbai Football Arena, here on Thursday.

Jorge Diaz and Lalengmawia Ralte scored in the first half, while Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte struck in the second to seal a comfortable win for the Islanders.

Mumbai City head coach Des Buckingham made one change to his starting eleven as Mandar Dessai was replaced at left-back by Vignesh D. On the other hand, BFC head coach Simon Grayson switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 as Alan Costa replaced Aleksandar Jovanovic in defence. Skipper Sunil Chhetri dropped to the bench as Danish Farooq started on the left flank.

Diaz struck in the 14th minute to put the hosts in front, as he pinched the ball from Alan Costa who was caught napping in defence. The Argentinian striker took the ball off Costa’s feet, advanced towards the goal and slotted it past a rooted Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

The Islanders doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute. Greg Stewart’s low cross from the right went past Bipin Singh and found an unmarked Ralte. The midfielder was given plenty of time and room in the box as he took a couple of touches before smashing it into the net.

In the 58th minute, Rahul Bheke’s long ball from defence caught the Bengaluru FC backline off-guard. Diaz skipped the offside trap and found himself in a one-on-one situation with the keeper. The striker unselfishly squared the ball to Bipin, who tapped it into an empty net to make it three for the Islanders.

The hosts then fired in their fourth of the evening in the 74th minute. Diaz’s pass was deflected by Sandesh Jhingan and found its way into Chhangte’s path. The winger wrapped his boot around it and placed it perfectly into the top left corner of the goal to wrap it all up.

The win takes Mumbai City FC within one point of Hyderabad FC, who are sitting at the top with a game in hand. The Islanders will play NorthEast United FC in Guwahati next on November 25.

Bengaluru FC’s goal difference has dropped them down to tenth in the table with four points. The Blues will travel to Fatorda to play FC Goa on November 26.

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Dubai India News Sports

Mumbai City FC to take part in a pre-season training camp in Dubai

The preparations will focus on getting the team ready for the 131st Durand Cup, set to begin on August 16, which will mark the start of the new domestic football season in India…reports Asian Lite News

As part of the team’s preparations for the 2022-23 season, Indian Super League (ISL) side Mumbai City FC’s squad along with the staff will travel to Dubai to take part in a pre-season training camp.

Mumbai City FC players will fly out later on Sunday to UAE and will set up base in Jebel Ali, Dubai in a 19-day training camp starting from July 25 until August 12.

Des Buckingham’s Mumbai City ended the 2021-22 season creating history at the 2022 AFC Champions League, becoming the first Indian club to win a game in Asia’s premier club competition. Building on, the Islanders are eager to kick-start their pre-season training to prepare for what will be the longest season in recent times in the Indian footballing calendar.

The preparations will focus on getting the team ready for the 131st Durand Cup, set to begin on August 16, which will mark the start of the new domestic football season in India. Drawn in Group B, Mumbai City FC will square off against ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Indian Navy and Rajasthan United in what will be the Islanders’ maiden appearance in Asia’s oldest football competition.

“I am extremely proud and happy with how we started and finished last season, especially in the AFC Champions League. To finish second in the group stage and showcase our attacking style of play was enjoyable to all associated with the club and showed that Indian football can compete and win at the highest level of club football in Asia,” said Des Buckingham, head coach, Mumbai City FC.

“”As we enter the new season we will look to continue the momentum from this historic campaign as we start our pre-season in Dubai. We have a very young squad here at Mumbai City — the average age of our domestic contingent is just 23 and have added some further quality and experience in the off season. We want to give our squad a platform and an environment that is conducive to their growth and development to prepare the whole team as well as possible for what will be an exciting season starting with the Durand Cup in August,” he added.

“Our vision for the upcoming season is clear – we want to build a team that can compete and compete well. With the expertise we have at our disposal, I believe we have put together a squad that can do just that. Des and his staff are determined to bring the best out of this incredibly talented playing group and take the club to newer heights. There is a desire to build on from last season and our pre-season camp in Dubai will lay the foundations of what we hope will be a successful season for Mumbai City, starting with the Durand Cup later in August,” said Kandarp Chandra, CEO, Mumbai City FC.

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