Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky was delighted for Vikram Partap Singh after they secured a big win of 4-1 against NorthEast United in the 19th match week of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Mumbai Football Arena on Tuesday.
Singh scored a hat-trick for the Islanders as he continued his good form in the tournament. The striker found the back of the net in the third, 10th, and 80th minute of the game. Furthermore, Van Nieff scored through a penalty in the first-half stoppage time for the hosts.
With this convincing 4-1 win, Mumbai City FC claimed the top spot in the ISL standings, securing their 11th victory of the season.
“We started very well. We scored an early goal which helps in achieving what we want to achieve but overall, I’m happy with the performance. Everything that we said before the game, the boys executed. Again, we conceded a goal. I’ll have to look at that but it’s normal. Sometimes you make mistakes when you’re tired. But overall, I’m very happy with the performance and also the scoresheet with Vikram scoring a hat-trick. I’m very happy for him,” Kratky said in the post-match press conference.
Singh has scored seven goals and two assists in 18 matches of the ongoing season for Mumbai City FC and he is currently the joint fourth highest goal-scorer in the tournament.
When asked if Singh can compete for the Golden Boot given his current form, Kratky said: “I don’t know what’s the Golden boot chart now, where he’s sitting with the goals. But if he’s somewhere close, 100 percent (he can compete for the Golden Boot). Vikram scored three goals but it’s (because of) team performance. He gets service (in the form of) crosses and balls in the box. I’m happy with the whole team and he (Singh) is at the end of the action, which is fantastic. If the team keeps working this way and keeps providing opportunities for the strikers to score, 100% he will be in contention.”
Mumbai City FC will be next seen in action against Hyderabad FC at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad on 1st April.