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It’s been a tough few weeks, not only for teams across the Indian Super League but for everyone across Mumbai, India and the world. But in the face of adversity, the club continue to fight, together.
After consecutive postponed fixtures, the Islanders return to the pitch tonight after a fortnight. Des Buckingham’s Mumbai City are back in action and will square off against NorthEast United at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda later today with action kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Islanders last stepped out for competitive action in the ISL on January 10, a fixture that ended in defeat at the hands of Bengaluru FC. Since then Mumbai City have had their games against Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC called off and postponed due to suspected COVID-19 cases in the respective camps. Winless in five, Des Buckingham’s side will come into tonight’s tie sitting outside the top four spots for the first time this season as the business end of the league stage approaches.
NorthEast United FC, who have found results hard to come by, have been bolstered by three new international arrivals in January in the form of Marcelinho, Marco Sahanek and Zakaria Diallo. Khalid Jamil’s have played out two intense fixtures in the past week against Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC, displaying their attacking potential, but have failed to garner any points from either.
After a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture, Des Buckingham’s side will look for all three points tonight knowing a win will take the Islanders back within reach of the ISL summit.
Des Buckingham has announced the squad have recovered from injuries in the 15-day break since the last fixture.
January additions Marcelinho and Marco Sahanek featured in the Highlanders’ previous fixture and new signing Zakaria Diallo could be in line to feature.
Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham said, “I saw their last game, and I was actually impressed with their style of play. I felt they should have at least come out with a result. They had a lot of chances and you can see the impact the new foreign players they have signed are having. So, we are aware of them and the changes their team has made since we last played against them in the 3-3 draw we had.”
The game will kick off at 7.30pm IST and will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, Hotstar, and Jio TV for all viewers in India.
