Absence of key players from both sides is likely to have an impact, as both Mumbai FC and Chirag United look to get back to winning ways and get their I-League campaign back on track when they face each other in the 16th round encounter at the Cooperage here on Tuesday.
Mumbai FC are sweating over injuries to Noel Wilson, Subhas Chakraborthy and Bashiru Abbas, with coach Khalid Mohammad expected to take a final call over their fitness a few hours before the match. Chirag, meanwhile, are travelling without striker
Edmilson Marques and defender Eduardo Chacon.
After a string of good results, Jamil’s side have not been able to get desired results but will be marginal favourites against a Chirag side that is still recovering from the loss of coach Subrata Bhattacharya. “We have to win tomorrow come what may. We have had a couple of close matches in the second leg. Though we have played well, the results haven’t quite gone our way. I hope it changes tomorrow,” Jamil said on Monday.
Chirag’s stand-in coach Anjan Nath said the main focus would be not to lose the match. “Three points will be great but we have to make sure that we don’t lose,” Nath said after a training session at the Cooperage on Monday. “It will not be easy for us. Mumbai FC have played well so far and they have a good coach as well. For us, we have to adjust without Edmilson and Du (Eduardo),” said he.
While the visiting team tasted victory in the 13th round before sliding to big defeats in their next two ties, the local side has not won a tie since their 11th round success against lowly Lajong FC on January 20 at this venue.
Mumbai FC (placed eighth) have won only four ties so far, three of these at the Cooperage, and would also be looking forward to avenge their 1-2 loss to their opponents in the first leg at Kolkata in their second round clash on October 9.
JCT hold Bagan
Mohun Bagan squandered a chance to break into top three in the I-League standings as they played out a goalless draw with JCT in a Round 15 encounter in Ludhiana on Monday.
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