ISL 2023-24: Happy with the way the players responded to setbacks – Des Buckingham

Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham is delighted with the way the players responded to setbacks in their second match of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) against Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

The Islanders shared the spoils with the Kalinga Warriors with a 2-2 draw. After a goalless first half, J. Mawihmingthanga found the back of the net just after the break. However, Griffiths equalized for the tourists in an immediate response.

Roy Krishna scored from the spot kick in the 76th minute but Jorge Pereyra Diaz equalized in the 88th minute to make it 2-2.

“It was a good game, (especially) when you get two teams who try to play football in a very similar manner. We knew the football Sergio (Lobera) likes to play. I don’t know what it made for TV back home, but from the sidelines, I thought it was quite an exciting game. For us, it’s four points from six, away from home which is a good start for us. Obviously, we go on the road again now to Uzbekistan (to face Navbahor in the AFC Champions League) and that puts us in a strong position to come back and play Kerala Blasters FC (at home). I’m very happy overall. Obviously, I am disappointed with the way we conceded the goals, but very happy with the way the players responded to those setbacks,” Buckingham said in the pre-match press conference.

The Englishman had to bring in Vinit Rai and Tiri for Yoell van Nieff and Mehtab Singh in the final XI and said they had to rotate the squad because of injury woes.

“We had to rotate the squad. We lost Mehtab because he got kicked in the head the last game. So we didn’t want to put him at risk. He will be fine for the next game. He wasn’t classed fit until this afternoon, so we had to change the midfield as we started with two foreign centre-backs. Vinit came in for his first start of the season. So there were a few changes in our squad but what I liked is that they showed a very clear and good understanding of how we want to play despite three changes. They continue to try and play the same way and that’s going to be so important to us,” Buckingham explained.

Vikram Partap Singh and Abdenasser El Khayati, who came off the bench, were able to create an impact for Mumbai City FC.

“Even the guys that came on, El Khayati got some more minutes, so we’re building him up slowly (to full fitness). And then the impact Vikram had again since coming on. He more than showed his worth and he’s been pushing for a start. He has pushed extremely hard for an inclusion in our starting eleven for the next game. So I’m very happy with him. And of course, Diaz, arriving at the end of an excellent cross, so I’m happy for him. So a lot of good positive takeaways,” Buckingham added.

Mumbai City FC will next take on Kerala Blasters FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on 8th October.