ISL 2022-23: Lots of similarities between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa: Head coach Des Buckingham

Mumbai City head coach Des Buckingham believes there are a lot of similarities between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa in their playing style. Both of these teams will be up against each other in Matchweek 9 at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on Thursday.

The Islanders have got off to a fine start in the ongoing ninth edition of the Hero ISL as they have won five and drawn three out of the eight they have played. Thus, they are still unbeaten in the tournament and they are at the top of the standings.

On the other hand, the Gaurs have managed four wins but they have suffered three losses. FC Goa is in the fifth position in the standings with 12 points.

Asked if he is expecting a high-scoring game, Des Buckingham said in the pre-match press conference, “I’ll be happy with the scoreline as long as we continue playing the way that we have in the first eight games, whereas every game we prepare to go out and try and win the game, but we know we’re up against a very tough and good Goa side who will come and be trying to do the same to us. But as long as we keep trying to do what we’ve been doing in the last eight games, and we continue trying to get better, it’ll be the thing that I’ll look forward to on Thursday.”

The Englishman reckons any team can surprise any side in the Hero ISL and he will be happy if the team continues to play in the manner they have been playing.

When asked if there is any particular team that can provide a tough challenge to Mumbai City FC, “Any team can, that’s I think this has been season number nine of the Hero ISL. I think every season we’ve seen every team in the league gets stronger and better. And I think when you look across the league already with the results across all of the games, there have been results that maybe you didn’t think could or would happen, but they have. We’ve certainly seen it at the World Cup but I think in this league, anyone can be anybody. so we need to make sure again, whether it’s FC Goa or NorthEast United FC last week, that we paid the respect it deserves and we’ll do everything we can and we have done to make sure we’re prepared for the game.”

Speaking on Mumbai City FC vs FC Goa rivalry, Buckingham concluded, “I keep getting told, much more so because of the distance. But again, I’ve only been this my second season here. And of course the last year we’ve been in a bubble. So I think that the fans in terms of creating those derbies and that rivalry if you want, for me, isn’t quite there and it certainly doesn’t affect the way that I go about what I do or the way the team has gone about what we do this week in preparation for this game. But if the fans see it that way and want to rekindle that over the seasons it’s another game we’re looking forward to. At home! In front of our crowd. The last three or four games to keep speaking about how special the environment we have at our home ground, you know, it’s not the biggest, but when it’s full and the atmosphere that’s created in the closeness of the pitch, it still certainly spills onto the field for the players and stuff.”