Mumbai City FC boss Des Buckingham looked very confident ahead of the ISL Club playoff match against Jamshedpur FC. The winner of the the single leg playoff will feature in AFC Champions League group stage for 2023-24 season. The match is scheduled on April 4 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri where later the Super Cup will also be played.
Buckingham led the Islanders to a historic ISL season where they had the longest win record and also finished with the league title. But now his focus has shifted to the the playoff which will determine their qualification in the Asia’s elite tournament.
While Mumbai City hold a unbeaten record against Jamshedpur FC in the last two matches, Buckingham highlighted that the Men of Steel can be an intimidating opposition considering their last five games under Aidy Boothroyd. They peaked late in the ISL season but if they play with that same intensity then it will be a challenge for Buckingham and his men.
“Jamshedpur FC are a good team. They showed that over the course of the year, they certainly showed it twice against us, and then they showed it in the last four or five games of the league phase,” Buckingham stated during the press conference.
The Englishman is not underestimating the competition as he states the players that JFC have and with Boothroyd as coach they can surely surprise everyone. But given the firepower, the onus is on Mumbai City FC now as they will start as firm favourite.
“They’ve got good individuals, a good coach in Aidy (Boothroyd). So we’ve to be on top of our game and need to do everything to put ourselves in a position to do what we did (against them) in the league stage,” he added.
Mumbai City FC were the second Indian club to feature in the AFC Champions League and and scripted history by winning over Iraq’s Air Force Club. Later they defeated Air Force Club again and also held a 0-0 draw against UAE’s Al Jazeera. Overall it was a historic campaign for them to win two matches and secure a draw.
Hence Buckingham understands the value of the tournament along with his players. However he also feels that Jamshedpur FC will be equalling hoping to feature in this tournament by winning the playoffs.
It is now time for Mumbai City to shrug off that penalty defeat against Bengaluru FC and look forward to the playoffs and then at the Super Cup. Buckingham shared that he has reshuffled a few things but players are available for the big clash and also later for the Super Cup.
“The preparations have been as good as they can be. We reshuffled a few things after the playoffs and then five players went into the national team, which is a wonderful achievement. Everybody is now back in training and available for the game,”the English tactician concluded.
Mumbai City FC are doing everything in their power to reach Asia’s elite competition once again and Jamshedpur FC will also be looking to put up a stern test as history awaits them on the other side. It promises to be an interesting clash.
