ISL 2022-23: We created enough chances to win the game: MCFC head coach Des Buckingham

Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham believes they created enough chances to win the game against ATK Mohun Bagan at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on Sunday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw as both teams shared the spoils after a thrilling match.

The home team had a 2-1 but Carl McHugh scored in the 89th minute to help the Mariners share a point with the Islanders. Lallianzuala Chhangte scored the opening goal for the hosts in the fourth minute. However, Mehtab Singh scored his own goal to help the visitors equalize.

Subsequently, Rostyn Griffiths gave a 2-1 lead to his team but Carl McHugh had the last laugh. Mumbai took a total of seven shots on target and Buckingham feels they deserved to win given the number of chances they created.

Sharing his thoughts on the game, Des Buckingham said in the post-match press conference, “We took the chances that we should have taken and created enough chances to win the game. We hit the crossbar three times and the post once towards the end. And there are numerous times that we should have probably scored. We put ourselves in a comfortable position at half-time, which makes the second half easier. But we continued to play the way we know in the second half. The problem in football is that the opposition will get chances, and unfortunately for us, they scored from a free-kick. We need to make sure about creating chances, put the game to bed earlier and make it easier for ourselves, and make sure we defend well till the end.”

Speaking on his team’s approach to the game, Buckingham said that they don’t change their style of play according to the opposition.

The Englishman said, “We do not change our approach too much no matter which opposition we play. ATK Mohun Bagan are a wonderful side. They have a good coach, and they will be right up there at the end of the season. We played brilliant football not only in the first 20 minutes, but for the entire first half, and in the beginning of the second half, the first 10-15 minutes, they were right on top of their game, and they turned the tie in their favour and got the goal. But we got control of the game again. We have more than one way to play with the ball. There is a big difference from last year, and if the opposition tries to exploit us by playing their style, then we would make changes. We have to be smart and clever about how the opposition would fare. As long as we do that, we will be strong and effective.”

Mumbai City FC will next take on Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Saturday.