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Mumbai Kenkre FC will host Mohammedan Sporting in their I-League 2022-23 fixture at the Cooperage stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
Mumbai Kenkre entered the winter break on a high note with an upset win over Real Kashmir, but since the restart have suffered back-to-back defeats away from home against first and second-placed Sreenidi Deccan and RoundGlass Punjab respectively. The Mumbai outfit will return to Cooperage, where they have lost just once in four games, hoping for a change in fortune. At Cooperage they have also managed to get points against Churchill Brothers and defending champions Gokulam Kerala, no mean feat for a young team. "We had a strong start to the season and the win against Real Kashmir was a huge morale boost," Mumbai Kenkre assistant coach Mangesh Desai said at a press conference, according to I-League press release. "We lost a couple of games away from home, but now we are back at Cooperage. and the home support will definitely help us in our coming home matches," he added. Back in December, these two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Kolkata. It was a game where Kenkre forced their way back from a goal down twice over, to earn a valuable point away from home. Desai expects a similar display from his boys in the hunt for three points tomorrow. "Mohammedan is a good side but they have struggled recently. We have prepared well in the last few days, we got a good result against them in Kolkata and we will hope to replicate a similar performance tomorrow. Hopefully, we will get the three points," he said. Kenkre have a chance to do what others already have. The Kolkata club have struggled on the road, having failed to win a single away game in six attempts. The Black and White Brigade, finished second in the league last season and were considered among title contenders when the season began. Unfortunately, they have fallen behind quickly, in ninth place now, and fighting to stay away from the other end of the table. Kibu Vicuna, who took over after the winter break, is still searching for his first win in the league. "The target is to get the three points," Vicuna said. "We know it is going to be difficult. We have not won a game, and have got two draws. It will be a big challenge. Kenkre is a tough team and has only lost here once. We respect them but I have confidence in our players and our team," he added. Defender Wayne Vaz, said there had been a positive attitude in the dressing room, despite the results. "The coach has instilled a positive attitude in the camp," Vaz said. "The team is getting better every day and tomorrow there will be no holding back. We will be alert in the dying moments of the game to make sure there are no lapses in the defence." Vaz said. (ANI)
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