ISL 2021-22: We’ll be trying to finish as high as we can – Mumbai City FC’s Des Buckingham

Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham has said that they will try to finish as high as they can in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League standings. The Islanders defeated SC East Bengal by 1-0 at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday in the 98th match of the season.

Bipin Singh scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute of the game, which was enough to give three crucial points to the defending champions. This was Mumbai’s eighth win of the season and they now have 28 points under their bag after 17 matches. Thus, the Islanders climbed to the fourth spot in the standings.

Des Buckingham said in the post-match press conference, “It’s an important one, you know, that puts us now fourth on the table with three games to go. I’m just pleased with the performance as we grew into it the second half. I thought that SC East Bengal they’ve played some fantastic football special for the last three games under Mario, they were always going to be a tough team to beat. But I’m glad that we stuck through to what we were trying to do, and we grew into the game to get the result”.

Meanwhile, Buckingham heaped praise on the opposition and feels they don’t deserve to be at the bottom of the points table. In fact, SC East Bengal had possession of 47% and also took five shots on the target but they were not able to convert even a single shot.

Buckingham added, “If you can ever get a second goal or a third goal in a game to see it off, anyone would take that from you. But they’re very good side, I don’t think in the league table is they’re not where they should be, especially in the last three games. You look at the 2-2 against Chennaiyin FC or you look at the 2-1 against the Odisha FC they have played some good football. They are a different team under Mario. So, we know it was going to be tough. And I’m glad that again we’ve come away with a good score and another one win”.

Mumbai City will look to win their remaining three matches so that they reach the maximum of 37 points, which might assure them of a top-four finish.

Buckingham concluded, “We spoke about building momentum going into the final part of the season. Like I said we’ve won three out of four now. With three to go and with fourth spot on the table,  we still play those teams in around us. So it’s down to us now to see where we finish. We’ll be trying to finish as high as we can with as many points as we can”.

Mumbai City FC will next face FC Goa at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Saturday.