ISL 2022-23: We push each other to our limits: Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa

Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa has opined that they push themselves to their limits as teammates to get the best out of each other. The Islanders are the only unbeaten team in the ongoing ninth edition of the Hero Indian Super League.

Des Buckingham’s team has won five matches and drawn three games and thus they are at the top of the points table with 18 points in their ledger. The team has come up with a collective effort so far in the tournament and they have reaped rewards for the same.

Meanwhile, Phurba Lachenpa revealed that goalkeepers like Bhaskar Roy and Mohammad Nawaz push each other in the squad and thus they are always on their toes. Mumbai’s players have healthy competition among themselves and it pushes them to give their 120% on the field as no player takes his place in the team for granted.

“It feels great to be a part of this squad because we had three strong goalkeepers. Bhaskar Roy was one of the best goalkeepers in the I-League last year and (Mohammad) Nawaz because he been performing for last 4-5 Hero ISL seasons,” Lachenpa told the club’s YouTube channel in an interview.

“It’s a tough competition and a healthy competition that we have and if each one of us is pushing each other to our limits, then it benefits us because we can take all positive and negative things from each other. We have a great (goalkeeping coach) in Rozario. We are learning from each other every day and pushing each other to our limits,” he added.

Mumbai City FC custodian has urged his teammates to keep up the good show in order to deliver for the team.

“We just have to stick to our coach’s football. We are enjoying our football right now. That is the main thing. So, we just have to stick to the coach’s plan and carry this momentum forward by expressing ourselves on the field,” he said.

“We need to forget our previous performances and try to perform on the pitch. The team that will perform on the given day will win the points,” added Lachenpa.

Mumbai City FC will next take on FC Goa on Thursday at Mumbai Football Arena.