I-League: Mohammedan Sporting needs points against Mumbai FC to avoid relegation

After a whirlwind of a season that saw Mumbai FC touch nadir for some while, the Essel Group-owned team is in for a respectable finish. As things stand now; with only the season-ending round remaining, Mumbai FC could as well finish above their Maharashtra derby rivals Pune FC in the I-League standings.

Mumbai FC take on the bottom dwellers Mohammedan Sporting in the Round 26 match of the I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Sunday evening.

There is no doubt that Khalid Jamil has resurrected himself well with two important wins and three draws in Mumbai’s last five games. Though the top-five positions are already taken, this run of results has certainly helped in lifting the Mumbai FC from the gloomy position to something that they could well even celebrate.

Currently in eighth position with 28 points, Mumbai are just a point behind Pune FC. A win will push them to 31 points while Jamil will hope that Pune FC, who faces Dempo SC on Monday loses the season-ender at the same ground.

When Mumbai FC defeated the 2013 champions Churchill Brothers SC here at Balewadi on April 13, Jamil and his boys proved that they meant business even though they were out of the race for a top five finish.

Yakubu Yusif scored a hat-trick in the game and he looks to be in fine form after having bben forced to join the team late at the start of the season. Yakubu is one who could turn the match for Mumbai FC and for him to work his magic Climax Lawrence and Ashutosh Mehta have been instrumental.

The only solace for Mohammedan Sporting Club is that they have beaten Mumbai FC at home in November. The two have played only thrice and Mohammedan Sporting lead the head-to-head 2-1 including a 1-0 at the start of this season.

On form, Mumbai FC is surely the better prepared team, having won away against Shillong Lajong FC and at home to Churchill Brothers besides their triumvirate of draws against Dempo SC, East Bengal Club and Sporting Clube de Goa — all coming in away games.

Mohammedan Sporting on the other hand has lost three of their last five matches with the sole win in this period coming against Rangdajied United FC at home. Its do or die for the Kolkata giants, who need all three points to stave away relegation. Even a draw or worse a loss would mean relegation for the Black Panthers.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)