ISL: Mumbai City FC eyes redemption on home turf

After four back-to-back defeats on home turf, Mumbai City FC gets a chance for redemption when it takes on NorthEast United FC on Thursday.

Mumbai City FC is placed seventh in the lower half of the league table.

After four back-to-back defeats on home turf, Mumbai City FC gets a chance for redemption when it takes on NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) on Thursday. The experience for the fans have been that of delight to despair, as its team struggles to find the net.

Read: This ISL season has been a challenging one, says Balwant Singh

Surprisingly, Mumbai's Balwant Singh, Thiago Santos, Achille Emana and Everton Santos are struggling to convert. Moreover, opposition teams have also managed to expose chinks in Mumbai's defence and midfield.

In an away match against ATK, chief coach Alexandre Guimareas made a change, with Rafa Jorda playing upfront and highest scorer Balwant being benched. The change fetched results, a 2-1 win over the defending champion. However, it is early to celebrate the turnaround.

Defeating the next three opponents, starting with NEUFC, is the least Mumbai requires to dream of a place in the knockouts. Guimaraes said: “I hope that finally we can win a game at home, which for us, besides the importance to continue the fight, should be a good present for our fans.”

“The pressure will be higher if we coaches don’t see that our team is playing well, or the players are not doing what we ask them to do. In my case, I would be much more worried,” he added.

On the other hand, NEUFC, ninth in the league table after only three wins, two draws from 16 games, is facing fitness issues. With Marcinho being ruled out will give another player to prove his mettle against Mumbai, placed seventh in the lower half of the league table.