Photo caption:
Mumbai FC coach Oscar Bruzon (centre) speaks to the players before training session ahead of the concluding I-League match at the Cooperage ground.
Mumbai, April 28: Mumbai FC aim to finish on a positive note. The Mumbai club is determined to give it their best shot by producing a disciplined performance against East Bengal, Kolkata in the concluding match of the I-League 2016-2017 and to be played at the Cooperage ground on Saturday evening. The match kicks-off at 7.05 pm.
The Mumbai outfit playing under new coach Spaniard Oscar Bruzon, who took charge of the team last month after Santosh Kashyap was removed, has been undefeated in the last three games. They almost pulled off a win in the last game but conceded a goal at the death and shared honours with Shillong Lajong in a 1-1 draw.
Now the Spaniard is keen that they play for a win and avoid the bottom place. “We will be playing for pride and honour. Tommorow is our last chance to show how good the team is and we will certainly play to win as we do not want to finish as the last team in the league,” Bruzon told media persons at the pre-match press conference.
The Mumbai coach was also satisfied with the performance of the players. “I’m happy with the work ethics of the boys and this same team could have been on the top, but it has been hard and also poor selection of foreign players has been the reasons for the current situation” pointed out Bruzon.
Defender Clyde Fernandes mentioned that the team benefited from the Spanish coach that there is improvement in the team. “We have learnt a lot from this coach (Bruzon) and it has been reflected in our game as we have been playing well in the last couple of matches. There's a marked improvement in the team," Clyde stated.
On the other hand East Bengal who are assured of a third place finish will utilize this game as preparation for the Federation Cup which is scheduled to commence in Cuttack from may 7-21.
“This is our last match and we will use it as preparation for the Federation Cup. Away matches are always tough, but we will fight it out. We have come here with the best choice of 18 players who are all fit,” he said.