Saturday, September 21, 2024
News

"Extremely happy with the result: Mumbai City coach Buckingham after win over NEUFC

   SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

Guwahati (Assam) | September 25, 2023 12:44:21 PM IST
Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham was delighted with the result as his sidesecured all three points against NorthEast United FCin their opening match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, in Guwahati, on Sunday.

The ISL League winners started the game on the front foot and went ahead through their Argentine forward Jorge Pereyra Diaz. Parthib Gogoi pulled the Highlanders back into the game with a brilliant finish. However, the Islanders restored the parity before the break as Diaz netted his second on the night. Both teams created several opportunities in the second half but could not find the back of the net.

"I think when we look back at this (result) later on in the season, we will realise how important these three points are or will be," Buckingham said in the official post-match press conference as quoted by an ISL press release.

"I think coming here, the first game of the season, a lot of travel for us as well, but to come here against what is very different NorthEast (side). We knew they were going to be strong and from what I have just seen on the pitch there, we have had to do a lot to come away with this result, which I am extremely happy with but I have no doubt that - NorthEast United FC will cause a lot of problems, certainly at home," he explained.

The Englishman believes that his side will only improve here on and like the previous season, they would need some more matches to build that cohesion and confidence among them.

"It is more about sharpness for us now. The more games we play, same as last year, probably after three or four games, (when we played against Kerala Blasters FC) when we had that sharpness that allowed us to do well. That will come," Buckingham stated.

"This is just our second game after the AFC Champions League game, the other night and now it is about making sure that we keep our squad as fresh and fit as we can," he added.

Diaz seemed to start from where he left off last season. The forward bagged a brace and looked full of confidence inside the opponent's box.

Praising the Argentine, Buckingham said, We know we're a very different team with Diaz when he plays, not just because of his finishing, but the way he presses and understands how we want to play. He's a very important player alongside, obviously, the others that work so well with him, like they did last year."

Mumbai City FC will now travel to Bhubaneswar to take on Sergio Loberas Odisha FC on September 28 whereas the Highlanders will host Chennaiyin FC for their respective second game of the season on September 29. (ANI)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS ()
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE SPORTS NEWS
Josh Hazewood opens up on game plan agai...
PKL changed our lives: Gujarat Giants' G...
'Felt bad for Virat...': Manjrekar react...
Mithali Raj feels UAE conditions will gi...
'Special recognition for me': PR Sreejes...
PCB shifts Pakistan's second Test agains...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
SC asks Centre to give names reiterated ...
'Should examine who poses threat to cons...
'We are taking out yatra against injusti...
Jharkhand: Amit Shah pays tribute to San...
Encounter breaks out between security fo...
Delhi LG Saxena chairs 19th meeting of t...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
Israeli military claims it killed t... 
JPC meeting on Waqf Bill: All India... 
Tripura CM lays foundation for Rs 5... 
"Should examine who poses threat to... 
Bombay HC strikes down provisions f... 
"We are taking out yatra against in... 
Over 100 workers from Imran Khan's ... 
Sri Lanka to hold Presidential elec...