Mumbai FC are determined to produce a strong positive display as they prepare for a win against league leaders Mohun Bagan AC in an I-League Round 20 match to be played at The Cooperage ground on Saturday evening.

The Mumbai club, who have not found success since the last of their three successive wins, which came against Bharat FC, Pune FC, in late February, will have to have do something phenomenal if they plan to overcome the formidable Kolkata outfit, who will also be looking to grab all the three points to enhance their points tally as the league approaches the business end.

Mumbai FC with 16 points from as many games are in 8th position ahead of 9th placed Shillong Lajong FC with (13 points / 14 games), 10th placed Bharat FC (12 points / 14 games) and last position Sporting Clube de Goa (11 points / 15 games). The Mumbai club are not yet safe from the drop zone. On the other hand Bagan in pole position with 31 points from 14 games will hope to increase their lead over reigning champions Bengaluru FC who are in second position with 28th points from 15 games.

Addressing the media at the pre-match press conference, Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil, who will be serving the last of his four-match suspension imposed by the AIFF, stated that he has instructed his team to go all out for a win. “We are desperate to play for a win. It’s very important that we give our best performance to ensure we get a win. Right from the goalkeeper, midfielders and forwards have to work as a unit,” said Jamil.

Despite the absence of coach Jamil, the Mumbai side enjoyed good outings in the three tough away games, drawing by identical 1-1 margins against East Bengal Club, Sporting Clube de Goa and Royal Wahingdoh FC, which has boosted the confidence of the team and the coach is hoping his players can reproduce the same kind of form as they did in the last three games.

“Bagan is a good side and the entire team is really playing very well. We have to perform like we did in the last three games. The morale of the team is very good and the players have to be more positive, make a little extra effort and push harder for a win,” mentioned Jamil before leaving to the ground for a training session.

The major worry for the Mumbai club is that they will continue to miss the service of their most influential and Japanese attacking midfielder Taisuke Matsugae, who is still recovering from an injury. The dependable and tireless Ashutosh Mehta, who is capable of playing as a defender and midfielder will sit out due a double booking. Pradeep Mohanraj or Firoz Mirza are expected to be his replacement.

Brazilian striker Josimar da Silva Martins, who has found his scoring touch scoring in the last game against Wahingdoh, will once again shoulder the burden to lead the Mumbai FC attack. In defence the reliable stoppers Justine Stephen and Chika Wali along with the wing backs Rahul Bheke and Allan Dias will have to combine effectively to foil Bagan’s potent strike duo of Japanese Katsumi Yusa and Haitian Sony Norde.

Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen also mentioned that they would look for a win but sounded a bit cautious about the home side. “We will try to win. But Mumbai FC is a very good side which is coached by Khalid Jamil who knows how to get the best of his players. They (Mumbai FC) are a very unpredictable team and we have to do our best,” he said.

The match at The Cooperage will kick-off at 19.00 IST and will be telecast live on TenAction.