AFC Champions League: ACL tie – Al-Shabab vs Mumbai City FC – Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham has a dream to see his side become the first-ever Indian team to register a victory in the prestigious AFC Champions League. Mumbai City is only the second Indian team to take part in the competition. FC Goa was the first team to represent the nation in the previous season. Right before their ACL group stage encounter with Al- Shabab, Des Buckingham alongside his vice-captain Mandar Rao Desai are all ready and up for the battle. Follow AFC Champions League and ACL Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
“We are well-prepared and have utilized our time well. We want to win. The objective is simple. We are trying to win the game at this level,” said Buckingham.
AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC target HISTORY in ACL, aim to become first Indian team to win a Champions League game
A match in the AFC Champions League will not be an easy job for any team from the Indian sub-continent as the Gulf and Middle-Eastern teams are far better than Indian clubs in terms of rankings and playing qualities.
“The Mental preparation for these games is different here. The quality and the playing standard in this league are much higher compared to the Indian Super League (ISL) and thus the players are naturally excited for the upcoming games,” said Mandar Raso Desai.
That feeling when you realize #ACL2022 is just 2️⃣ days away 🤩#IslandersInAsia #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 @TheAFCCL pic.twitter.com/lS1zbMpKEz
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) April 6, 2022
AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC target HISTORY in ACL, aim to become first Indian team to win a Champions League game
Speaking about the challenges for his side, coach Des Buckingham added, “The ISL is still in its infant stage, just 7th season since its inception. The teams in the AFC Champions League are well resourced and the quality of football is higher than us. So that is going to be the challenge for us.”
The first opening game for Mumbai City FC will be against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab. The Mumbai outfits will be desperate to set a mark in the Champions League after failing to reach the top 4 in the ISL this season. On the other hand, Al-Shabab has been in relatively poor form. The Saudi side which features famous players like Ever Banega has only gathered just a solitary point in their last three games.
The coach has set relative objectives for his players and will be eyeing to approach the game with clever and smart moves.
AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC target HISTORY in ACL, aim to become first Indian team to win a Champions League game
