Indian Super League club Mumbai City FC finished their AFC Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win against the Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya as their group stage fixtures came to an end at the King Fahd International Stadium in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The Islanders finished with seven points in the second position only behind Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab. Mumbai City FC became the most successful Indian club as they secured two wins in the Champions League but unfortunately won’t be able to progress to the knockouts due to inferior goal difference.
Speaking after the 1-0 win against the Air Force Club , head coach Des Buckingham was very proud of the fight that the players showed in their last group stage game. “It was a very challenging game. And we knew it would be because they’re a wonderful team. It was the first time we played them to play six games in nineteen days, but to come away with a win and to the show the way that the players have played in the last six games, not just tonight, to come away from the Champions League, picking up seven points, scoring more goals than we ever have done. And to finish second in the group is a huge achievement, both for this football club and for football in India.”
Buckingham highlighted how they played a particular brand of football and never compromised it for something else. He feels that the players are good with the ball and brave against teams that are technically good. “We’ve shown throughout the first four games, in particular, how good the players can be with the ball, and how brave and good technically they can be against some wonderful opposition. And tonight, we’ve also shown that more so from a defensive point of view, how strong we can be if we stay connected and stay together,” Buckingham added.
The Englishman highlighted how there was a massive change in players and other personal. The team that qualified under Sergio Lobera and this team is not the same barring a few players. Buckingham shared how some of the experienced players in this team helped the youngsters to flourish at the biggest stage in Indian football.
“There was a big change of personnel, both player-wise and staff-wise from our team last year that qualified for this event. We lost a lot of experienced and senior players to the group. And I think the team has taken to the field tonight it’s a very young side.
Lastly the English tactician shared how he wants the team to develop this team more in the coming days as they already have a beautiful mix of youngsters and experienced players. “We want to really develop these young players and take the take them forwards. But we also need to be smart that how we do that because we have some wonderful experienced players at the club. They really helped nurture these young players and allow them to perform and do what they do on the field,” Buckingham concluded.
