My players aspire to compete against the best, asserts Mumbai City FC coach Des Buckingham

The Islanders are yet to win a match in this season's ACL

Mumbai City FC is going to face Al Hilal SFC in their next AFC Champions League match on November 6, 2023 at the D Y Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

The Indian club has till now lost all its tie-ups in AFC Champions League and are yet to find a win in the tournament. Furthermore, in their most recent encounter against Al Hilal at the King Fahd Stadium in Saudi Arabia, Mumbai City FC suffered a resounding defeat with a score line of 6-0, courtesy of the home team's dominance.

Ahead of the upcoming match, during the pre-match press conference, Mumbai City FC's coach, Des Buckingham and player Apuia responded optimistically to every query. They expressed their confidence in delivering an improved performance compared to their previous matches.

A game of possession

Des was very clear about the limited possession they will be having in the match, as he said, “There is no doubt that we will enter this game fully aware that our ball possession will be limited, as well as the time we have with the ball. Additionally, we anticipate having fewer opportunities compared to our usual performances in the ISL, due to evident factors.”

“However, what is crucial is that even when reflecting on our previous game, we must acknowledge that our ball possession was not as dominant as it typically is. Likewise, our chances were fewer than usual. Nevertheless, we did experience some notable moments during the match that could have potentially made a significant impact”, he added.

Playing against a huge home crowd

When asked about playing before a stadium packed with more than 50,000 fans, Apuia replied, “I had the privilege of playing against a prominent team during the under 17 World Cup. It was an exhilarating experience to compete in a stadium filled with enthusiastic spectators. India is known for its vibrant soccer culture, and we thrive in such an electrifying atmosphere. The presence of 50,000 people will motivate us greatly, and we are determined to give our best performance to bring joy to the fans.”

Facing Asia’s top club and Neymar’s absence 

Des Buckingham also mentioned about the player’s excitement of playing against a top club of Asia. He said, “Look, I comprehend the reaction from the players when the draw was made. There were two reasons for their response. Firstly, it was because of the high standard of Al Hilal and their impressive history in Asia. The players aspire to compete against the best, and this is also what coaches desire.”

“Additionally, Neymar holds a significant status here in India, making him an idol. Unfortunately, he has suffered an injury, and in the previous press conference, I expressed my well wishes for his recovery”, he added.

“As a coach, I must acknowledge the quality that Al Hilal already possessed and the effort they have put into their performance. Although replacing Neymar with Ruben Neves presents a different challenge, it does not diminish the quality of the individual or the team. The standard remains high”, Des Buckingham on how the absence of Neymar won’t lower the threat.