Mumbai City FC coach Peter Reid. (Photo courtesy: Mumbai City FC)
Mumbai City FC face FC Pune City in a must-win Hero Indian Super League (ISL) away game at the at the Balewadi Stadium on Wednesday.
The Mumbaikars are currently at the bottom of the table and they need to start winning games to keep their chances alive to advance to knock-out stage of the competition.
“I expect it to be a difficult game, it is going to be very tight,” Mumbai City FC head coach Peter Reid stated at the pre-match press conference.
“We know we can beat Pune. We have done that in Mumbai, and now need to do that here in Pune. We are in a must win situation now, and hopefully we can produce a win against Pune.”
“I am obviously disappointed with our performances, and we have to improve,” the Englishman continued. “If you ask me, if we score in the 90th minute and win 1-0, I would take that any day!”
Mumbai City will miss the services of injured Brazilian midfielder André Moritz and suspended Jan Stohanzl, while Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg could also miss the Maharashtra Derby due to injuries. “If you ask me, I wouldn’t bet on Anelka’s chances, with his groin injury,” Reid told.
Talking about Mumbai City’s chances to claim one of the top four spots to qualify for the semi-finals, Reid said, “We’re looking for a win. I wouldn’t give up on our chances of qualifying until it’s mathematically not possible.”
Mumbai City FC skipper Syed Rahim Nabi is also confident and assured his team wouldn’t give up. “With the way the league table is shaped, anything is possible,” the Indian international said.
“Everyone can see that this is not the same Pune team that lost to us. They might have lost in Mumbai but then went to Kolkata and won against them, so it’s unpredictable.”
“All the teams have been constantly improving in the competition, but we’ve been unlucky that injuries have hampered us. But, obviously, we’ve come here hoping for a win,” Nabi signed off.