Des Buckingham: We will be back for the Super Cup next month

The Mumbai City head coach has the back of Mehtab Singh, who missed the crucial spot-kick.

Bengaluru FC beat Mumbai City at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium and progressed to the final of ISL 2022-23. Des Buckingham's side came from behind by scoring two goals inside the 90 minutes. The match was tied on aggregate (2-2) and had to be decided through the penalties. None of the first sixteen shots could be blocked by the goalkeepers with the score tied 8-8. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with his long reach was successful in blocking Mehtab's shot after which Sandesh Jhinghan scored the winning penalty for the Blues.

The post-match press conference was attended by head coach Des Buckingham. Excerpts are below.

Thoughts on the season

Mumbai City became the first Indian club to win an AFC Champions League game. They finished the Durand Cup as finalists losing to Bengaluru FC and had an 18-match unbeaten streak in the ISL. Mumbai lifted the Shield by finishing in the top spot in the league stage.

Des Buckingham started, “Firstly, well done to Bengaluru FC and wish them good luck in the final. I am proud of my team for what they have done in the past 10 to 12 months starting from the Champions League. Not only the results but the performances we have put in have also been good. We reached the final of the Durand Cup and then had an 18-match unbeaten streak in the ISL. It is heart-breaking to not qualify for the final but we have put up our best. We will be back for the Super Cup set to be held next month.”

https://youtu.be/QlC3x35pyiM

Phurba Lachenpa’s performance

Phurba Lachenpa has been solid for Mumbai City this season and was their first-choice goalkeeper as well. He put in crucial saves in both the legs (semi-finals against Bengaluru FC). He was exceptional in the second leg, to be more precise. However, the 25-year-old couldn't make a single save in the penalty shootout. 

The head coach opined, “This is his first breakout season and he has done extremely well. We have got a good set of Indian developmental players and Phurba is one among them. He has worked alongside two good goalkeeping coaches for the past two seasons. Apart from him, there are several other players like Vignesh (Dakshinamurthy), Vineet Rai, Apuia etc. who have played well and have developed.”

Mehtab Singh’s crucial penalty miss

Mehtab Singh combined well with Mourtada Fall in the centre-back position. He scored his side's second goal against Bengaluru FC, but missed the final penalty kick.

Des Buckingham iterated, “Mehtab knows what I think about him, firstly as a player, and secondly as a person. He has developed a lot this season and has put in some excellent performances. Looking at the league, he is one of the best Indian centre-backs partnering with experienced Mourtada Fall. It will take some time for him to get over and he knows exactly what I and the group think about him. We will look after him.”