Mumbai: Former Uruguayan international Diego Forlan is confident of changing the fortunes of Mumbai City FC in the third edition of the Indian Super League.
The former Manchester United star is aware that former Mumbai City marquee players Freddie Ljungberg and Nicloas Anelka were not able to light up the tournament due to injuries but he is up for the challenge.
Mumbai City has failed to qualify for playoffs in both attempts. Forlan, 37, is also in the twilight of his career and has wished to prolong it a bit. “I am not comparing myself to anybody. I will try to do my best, score goals and everyone including me will be happy. I wanted to come as quickly as I can and start playing that’s what I like and I am looking forward to do that. I would love to continue playing,” Forlan said in an interaction here on Saturday.
“We have some good Indian and foreign players. I am looking forward for a good season. We know we didn’t qualify (for the semifinal) in the last seasons, so that’s the challenge to qualify and do our best. It is a short tournament involving lot of traveling so it is not easy to play all matches. It is important that the whole squad is fit and available,” he added.
Forlan had offers from European clubs but he chose to play in the ISL. “I had offers, but preferred coming here. I had been watching some games before (On TV), when I was living in Japan (playing J-League) and then in Uruguay. There are many good players and many people inside the stadium. It’s growing and they are trying to make it a good league. It’s not easy but they are trying their best. It is not a long tournament, and is different type of thing to attract players,” he said.
The Ranbir Kapoor co-owned club will miss the services of their last season top scorer Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Amrinder Singh until October 19 atleast, due to their AFC Cup semi-finals engagements with Bengaluru FC. Two other Bengaluru FC players Lalchhuanmawai Fanai and Udanta Singh are injured at the moment. Mumbai City plays its first match against Pune City FC in an away game on October 3.
