ISL 2021-22: We need to now focus on beating Hyderabad FC – Mumbai City FC’s Des Buckingham

Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham stated that they need to focus on beating Hyderabad FC in their last league stage match. The Islanders have put themselves in a soup as they lost their last match against Kerala Blasters by 3-1, which has hampered their hopes of qualifying for the semifinal stages.

Kerala Blasters took three crucial points against Mumbai as they won by 3-1 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in the 62nd match of the Hero Indian Super League on Wednesday. Thus, Kerala Blasters moved to the fourth spot in the standings ahead of Mumbai City FC. Blasters have two more points than the Islanders and will be favorite against FC Goa, who have struggled to get going in the season.

Meanwhile, Sahal Samad scored the opening goal for Kerala Blasters in the 19th minute. Subsequently, Alvaro Vazquez scored through the penalty in the 45th minute. Vazquez once again found the back of the net as he scored in the 60th minute of the game. Diego Mauricio scored through the penalty for Mumbai City in the 71st minute but it was not enough to stage a comeback.

Thus, the future is not in Mumbai City’s hands as they will need a favor from FC Goa. The Gaurs will take on Kerala Blasters in the next and the Islanders will hope FC Goa beats the Southerners so that they can have their chance of qualifying for the last four.

On the other hand, Mumbai City will have their work cut out against Hyderabad FC, who are currently in second place in the standings and they have already qualified for the semifinals.

Des Buckingham said while talking in the post-match press conference, “Yeah, it takes out of our hands. We come into this game knowing that if we won the game we qualify. We also knew if we got a point it takes it to the final one. So now it’s not in our hands. So, we just need to now focus on beating Hyderabad FC and hope the FC Goa can do us a favor against Kerala Blasters.”

Buckingham reckons the team was unlucky not to get the penalty in the first half and it could have been a different story if it had gone their way.

Buckingham added, “The major blow for us was the penalty that wasn’t given to us earlier in the half. I think you get that decision, we had a lot of this year where they haven’t been given. You go 1-0 and it changes the total outcome of the game and that’s taking nothing away from Kerala Blasters. KBFC won the game and won it well, 3-1. We tried having to go in the second half we changed a few things and again, it was a mistake that cost us a third goal and almost sealed the result”.

Mumbai City will next take on Hyderabad FC at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday.