ISL 2: ‘For me aggression is a positive component’

Mumbai: Riding high on their consecutive victories at home, a resurgent Mumbai City FC will look to make it three in a row when they face an upbeat NorthEast United FC here in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Wednesday. The John Abraham-owned side are also looking for a third win after back-to-back wins at Guwahati, first against Chennaiyin FC (2-0) and then Atletico de Kolkata (1-0).

Mumbai, after two losses and a draw, got back to winning ways first defeating the Roberto Carlos coached Delhi Dynamos 2-0 and then outclassing table-toppers FC Goa by two goals in a thrilling encounter on Sunday.

So what went right for the Nicolas Anelka-coached side that boasts of star players such as Sunil Chhetri, who now is second in the Golden Boot rankings, Haitian star Sony Norde and custodian Subrata Paul, who is leading the race for the Golden Glove with 11 saves and two clean sheets in three matches.

“We were always positive. Even when we were not getting results, we kept a positive outlook. What worked against Goa was the work of the players, their attitude, sacrifice, team work, team combination and keeping possession of the ball even after knowing how badly Goa wanted it,” Assistant Coach of Mumbai City FC Oscar Bruzon told reporters, here during the pre-match conference on Tuesday.

After overpowering FC Goa, the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned outfit jumped to sixth spot and are now level on points with fifth placed Atletico de Kolkata. Mumbai haven’t conceded a goal in their last two games and coach Bruzon appreciated his team’s effort.

“We have been very consistent. Our opponents are not getting many chances. We have been watching many matches and have noticed the team scoring first wins the game,” Bruzon said, while revealing that former Chelsea veteran Anelka will not start in Wednesday’s match but will feature during the encounter.

Aware that their opponents are also aggressive, Mumbai will not shy away from their aggressive game. “For me aggression is a positive component, I don’t have problems with aggression. I like aggression but it has to be under the rules of the game. Football is effort, sacrifice, being tough, so I don’t mind yellow cards provided the attitude of the players is to win,” Bruzon asserted.

When asked to comment on the referring standards so far during the ISL, coach Bruzon, with a stiff face chose not to comment rather cautiously.

Having lost their first three matches, NorthEast United FC finally found the score line in their favour with consecutive wins at home. With six points from five games, NorthEast are placed on the seventh spot, below their opponents.

The visitors now playing away from home, are wary about their opponents, but believe they have it in them to pull off a win.

“Mumbai is a strong team. We believe in our players and the work that we do and the way we play the game. We don’t have to worry about our opponents, they have to worry about themselves,” Head Coach of NorthEast United FC Cesar Farias said.

With both teams vying for their third win and a chance to better their standings in the league, it will be a good contest unfolding at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai. Mumbai have the edge playing under home conditions, but will fatigue catch up on the players?

Kick-off: 7 p.m IST