Football
ISL: Can the Islanders keep the trophy train rolling?
With new players integrating into the team and Petr Kratky steering the ship, the Islanders are poised to once again challenge for top honors.
Mohun Bagan suffered a 1-3 defeat against Mumbai City FC (Photo credit: ISL media)
The Islander's season kicks off with a high-stakes match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata, followed by a trip to Jamshedpur.
Mumbai City FC’s first home game is scheduled for October 2 against Bengaluru FC.
The club have established itself as a powerhouse in the Indian Super League (ISL) over recent seasons.
The team has claimed the ISL League Shield and ISL Cup twice each in the past four years.
As defending ISL Cup champions, having beaten Mohun Bagan SG in the final, the Islanders are aiming to continue their impressive run of form.
However, they missed out on the League Shield last season, which was clinched by Mohun Bagan SG on the final day of the league.
This season, Mumbai City FC will be under the guidance of Petr Kratky for his first full campaign.
After a successful stint last season, Kratky will have the benefit of a complete pre-season to refine his tactics.
The team has undergone significant changes, with several key players departing and new faces joining the squad.
Squad list:
Goalkeepers: Phurba Lachenpa, TP Rehenesh, Ahan Prakash
Defenders: Valpuia, Tiri, Mehtab Singh, Thaer Krouma, Sanjeev Stalin, Halen Nongtdu, Nathan Rodrigues, Akash Mishra, Sahil Panwar, Hardik Bhatt
Midfielders: Yoëll van Nieff, Brandon Fernandes, Jeremy Manzorro, Franklin Nazareth, Supratim Das, Hitesh Sharma, Jayesh Rane, Jon Toral
Forwards: Lallianzuala Chhangte (captain), Vikram Partap Singh, Nikolaos Karelis, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Ayush Chhikara, Bipin Singh, Gyamar Nikum, PN Noufal
The departure of notable players like Rahul Bheke and Apuia has opened up new opportunities for the incoming players. The addition of Brandon Fernandes and Jon Toral is expected to bolster the midfield, while TP Rehenesh's arrival intensifies the competition for the goalkeeper position.
Key Player
Lallianzuala Chhangte: Last season’s standout performer, Chhangte, has been a crucial player for Mumbai City FC. With his contract extended, he will be looking to surpass his impressive goal tally from previous seasons.
What to expect?
Petr Kratky, known for his tactical acumen, will be looking to build on the solid foundation laid last season.
With a mix of new and experienced players, Kratky’s approach will be key in maintaining Mumbai City FC’s competitive edge.
His preference for controlling the ball and a solid defensive setup will be tested as the season progresses.
