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On the back of a disappointing result, DSK Shivajians FC look to make amends at home when they play Mumbai FC here at the Balewadi Stadium on Saturday, March 11.
DSK Shivajians FC last met Mumbai FC in the first game of the season where they were overcome by the Mumbaiikars courtesy a Thoi Singh strike. Since then, however, both teams have played two very different brands of football, with Mumbai FC relying on effectiveness rather than the attacking high pressure brand of football played by Dave Rogers’ boys.
While DSK Shivajians come into the game with 5 points from their last six matches, they have played a positive brand of football, fielding an average of 4 U-22 Players in every I-league game over the past two months. A quick look at the numbers fortifies the argument of playing positive football that the club Champion, with 6 players making it to the Indian Football Team Camp for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. While the results have not come the Pune based club’s way, they have indeed dominated proceedings with 121 Attacks in their last game against Aizawl FC, 22 more than the Mizo club who currently lead the league. They also played almost a 100 more passes than their previous opposition. A tough tackling team, they led the league in closing down and tackling with 55 tackles in their last game, well ahead of the league average of 41.
Commenting on his team’s performances First Team Manager Dave Rogers said,
“I can’t criticise my players, because we’ve created chances and we’ve dominated games playing attacking football. We’re missing a little bit of luck, but I’m sure at some point this luck will change.”
“I will not change and stop playing these boys (youth players) because they need to be given the trust to go on and become good footballers for India. This is a Derby Game, Mumbai fight for the game, fight for every inch of the ball. It should be a good entertaining game,” he signed off.
With DSK Shivajians in seventh place in the league, with 11 points of 13 matches and Mumbai FC occupying the sole relegation place sitting in tenth, with 10 points of 13 matches, both teams will be playing for more than mere pride as we go into the league run-in.
The Match will be telecast Live on TEN 2 from 4.30pm.
