"Mumbai City are a good side," says SC East Bengal assistant coach Renedy Singh

The SC East Bengal assistant coach called for belief in their team's process as they look to extend their unbeaten run on Friday.

SC East Bengal continue their season in the Indian Super League (ISL), as they take on the table-toppers Mumbai City FC on Friday night at the Tilak Maidan. Although the two teams are at contrasting positions in the league table, fans can expect a cracker of a game considering their recent form in the league. Ahead of the mouthwatering contest, assistant coach of the Red and Gold, Renedy Singh spoke to the media about his build-up.

Thoughts on opponents

Mumbai City are currently cruising in the league and are placed comfortably in the first spot on the table, enjoying a five-point gap with second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan. They have been lethal with their style of play and have been the team to beat this season. Singh, however, remained calm and praised the Islanders for their brilliant run in the league.

“The style of football Mumbai is playing, all the foreigners have been here for a long time and they know Indian football very well. Tomorrow’s match will be tough, but we are also doing well for the last seven matches staying unbeaten. So, it will be a good match; where if our boys give the same effort I'm sure we can get good results,” commented Renedy.

“Believe in our process”

https://youtu.be/6WRJ6nw9Kh0

Renedy Singh believes that his team have done an excellent job in their last seven games and they will have to continue their momentum in order to get a result against the tough Mumbai side. The Islanders are in phenomenal form with 11 unbeaten games and it will be a tough task to beat them, but Renedy kept faith in his team’s style of play.

“Mumbai is a good side and they are doing really really well. But, I feel we have to concentrate on our own style of what we have played in the last seven matches,” he said. The new entrants have banked on their excellent defensive performances in the past games and they will be needed the most against an attacking side like Mumbai. “We have been in a good process and that's how we are going to get results,” he added.

“We have many things to learn from our last game against Mumbai”

When SC East Bengal played against Mumbai City FC in the first half of the season, the latter won comfortably with a three-goal margin. Renedy says although the scoreline was not in their favour last time around, the team has a lot to learn from the last match going onto the big game on Friday. “If we see that match, we accept the goals. We didn't play that badly.

"We controlled the match in patches and we can learn a lot from there,” said the assistant coach. He also stressed on his team’s recent form and showed confidence in the process they are in. “If we keep working the same way, the process is there and we will have a good match against Mumbai,” he further added.

Thoughts on Ankit Mukherjee & injury updates

Ankit Mukherjee has proven to be a livewire down the flanks for SC East Bengal, with his contributions in both attack and defence. Speaking about the young Indian, Renedy said he is satisfied with him but also said that Ankit needs to step up his game.

“Ankit has done okay, but he can play better. I'm sure in the coming days he can play better. Not only he, but the whole team has to play better,” spoke Renedy. Talking about player availability, Renedy confirmed that Raju Gaikwad will miss the all-important game against the Islanders. “Raju got a knock in the last game and hopefully we will get him back soon.”