Mumbai and Goa have seen their season take reverse trajectories with the previous firmly within the race for a semifinal spot and the latter out of competition.
Mumbai have 28 factors from 17 video games and a win will take the defending champions degree on factors with ATK Mohun Bagan and extra importantly stave off Kerala Blasters FC, who’re fifth within the desk with 27 factors from 17 matches.
Mumbai will tackle Kerala in what could possibly be a digital shootout between the 2 groups for a spot within the semis subsequent week and on Saturday, Des Buckingham’s wards can take the equation in their very own fingers by successful towards FC Goa.
“We now have momentum going into the ultimate stretch of the season. We now have three video games left but it surely’s very a lot about specializing in the following recreation and that’s Goa. We now have come good within the final couple of weeks as properly so we want to verify we proceed doing the nice work and end the season the place we would like,” Buckingham mentioned.
FC Goa don’t have anything to lose, languishing in ninth spot with 18 factors to indicate.
Head coach Derrick Pereira can be hoping they’ll finish the season on a excessive.
“It’s all the time tough when you don’t have anything to play for. However inside our group, every participant’s efficiency is essential for the membership. We have to preserve working exhausting and preserve preventing,” mentioned assistant coach Clifford Miranda.
Jorge Ortiz has been the one shining mild for Goa in an in any other case underwhelming season. Ortiz has scored eight targets and supplied 5 assists in 14 video games. That is additionally solely the second time that Goa have did not make it to the final 4 in eight seasons.
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