Mumbai FC out to extend unbeaten streak at home
Mumbai FC will be keen to maintain their unbeaten streak at home when they clash with Shillong Lajong FC in an I- League encounter here on Friday. They have been hard to crack at home, winning two games and drawing three.
Khalid Jamil’s side though have been poor travelers with just one win and four losses in five away games. The 1- 3 loss defeat against Salgaocar FC in Goa on Saturday also snapped their six- game unbeaten streak.
Mumbai will try to use home advantage to score the full three points against the struggling North Eastern side and move up the ladder. They are currently seventh with 12 points in 10 games while Lajong are tenth in the 11team league with seven points in nine games.
Goalkeeper Nidhinlal A. C. has recovered from his hand injury and is set to regain his place in the starting line- up after missing the game in Goa. Midfielder Sampath Kuttymani also returns after serving a one- match suspension after he was red carded in the last home game against Pune FC.
However, Mumbai could miss the services of inspirational Japanese midfield- er Taisuke Matsugae, who is nursing a calf strain.
Strikers Josimar da Silva Martins and Mohammad Rafi will be keen to put themselves back on the score sheet. Milagres Gonsalves has impressed with his swift runs upfront while coming on as substitute. Chika Wali will lead the solid defence against the Lajong attackers, in particular Cornell Glen, Penn Orji and Boithang Haokip.
Lajong, who drew 1- 1 against bottom- placed Sporting Goa in their previous game, will hope Trinidadian recruit Glen can weave his magic. The Port of Spain- born striker has seven goals from nine games. The visitors however will have to cope with the humidity and adjust to the artificial turf here.