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SC East Bengal will square off against Mumbai City FC in the 52nd match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 on Friday, 7th January 2022 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium.SC East Bengal are having a nightmare of a run in the ISL 2021-22 season. They are the only team so far this season that are yet to win a game. SC East Bengal are currently at the foot of the standings with just five points under their belt in nine games. They will come into this game after holding Bengaluru FC to a 1-1 tie courtesy of a goal from Haokip.
Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, have performed admirably as they find themselves in second spot in the table having won five of their nine games so far. However, the Islanders are winless in their last three encounters and will be eager to snap that streak.The defending champions suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Odisha FC in their previous game and will now be keen to get back on track with a win.
The former India captain oversaw a spirited performance against the Blues but only managed to eke out a point from the fixture, making it two draws in two games for the beleaguered outfit. Renedy, who has been the assistant coach for SC East Bengal since last season, drew plaudits for his first-ever assignment as the head coach as SC East Bengal went ahead in the first half only to throw away the advantage courtesy of an own goal. The defence looked in better shape for the first time this season and Renedy can take heart from the fact that his charges showed a newfound fighting spirit that was missing. “I was really happy with the way the boys fought and defended in the last game. The only question now is when we get the ball, can we play with a little bit more confidence and that is what we all are working on right now. Mumbai City is one of the best attacking sides in the league. We have to make the game more difficult for the opponent. If we allow them to play, they can punish us,” Renedy said. At the other end of the spectrum, Mumbai were dethroned from the top of the heap by Hyderabad FC on Wednesday and Des Buckingham’s side can only blame themselves for that. Winless in the last three outings, Mumbai could only pick up one point from them, failing to win their previous fixture against Odisha FC. The goals have kept coming for the reigning champions but it is their rearguard that has not clicked of late. Mumbai have conceded three goals or more in their last three matches. The Islanders have also dropped 8 points from winning positions this season. Five of those points have been dropped in the last three outings. “We have made too many mistakes collectively as a team and also individually in the last game. We are looking at it in the context of the nine games as opposed to the last three. Across the nine games, we have played some good football,” Buckingham said. “Whenever you play a team that has had a change in coach, you see an uplift not only in performance but results as well. We are very aware of it and the threat they pose. But the focus is on us. We need to be more consistent,” added the Briton.
SC EAST BENGAL VS MUMBAI CITY FC MATCH DETAILS:
Match: SC East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC
Date and Time: Friday, 7th January 2022, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Tilak Maidan Stadium
PROBABLE XI
SC EAST BENGAL:
- Arindam Bhattacharya (GK)
- Tomislav Mrcela
- Hira Mondal
- Raju Gaikwad
- Joyner Lourenco
- Adil Khan
- Lalrinliana Hnamte
- Wahengbam Luwang
- Naorem Singh
- Thongkhosiem Haokip
- Daniel Chukwu
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Amey Ranawade
- Mehtab Singh
- Rahul Bheke
- Mandar Rao Desai
- Lalengmawia
- Ahmed Jahouh
- Cassio Gabriel
- Vikram Singh
- Bipin Singh
- Igor Angulo
