Alexandre Guimaraes hasn't given up qualification hopes

After three losses at home, Mumbai City FC coach is still optimistic they can pull off a coup like 2015 champions Chennaiyin FC in the last five games.

Mumbai City FC (MCFC) seems to have lost its way in the second leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) Season Four, after suffering three consecutive home losses, and conceding nine goals in four games. In the first leg, they were in the race for playoffs, with 14 points from nine games, having conceded just nine goals.

But after the 1-2 loss to Jamshedpur FC at Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday, their playoff hopes seem to be over. But MCFC coach Alexandre Guimareas hasn’t given up play off hopes yet. The Costa Rica tactician felt that since teams have done it in the past in this league, there is no reason why his team can’t make a turnaround too.

The Islanders are currently reeling in the sixth position, with 17 points from 13 games, and are five points behind fourth-placed Jamshedpur.

“I just told the players in the dressing room that we still have our chances; we still have the possibility of being in the top-four,” Guimaraes remarked.

MCFC has two home games remaining against FC Pune City (February 11) and NorthEast United (February 22), and three away games against ATK, Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC.

“It (semis berth) is more difficult now, but anything can happen. In ISL 2, there was one team (Chennaiyin FC) that won five-six games in a row at the end, and went on to become champions. So, we have to win all our games. So, tomorrow we will start to work hard on our next game against Pune,” he added.

MCFC started their home campaign with wins over top teams FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, but floundered against ATK. They picked up pace with a 4-0 rout of Delhi Dynamos, but losses to Kerala Blasters (0-1), Bengaluru FC (1-3) and Jamshedpur derailed their hopes after an impressive 4-3 away win over FC Goa on Sunday.

“Yes, I’m disappointed that it is the third loss at home. This wasn’t the scene we had in mind. From the three games we played here, in two of them we played like we should have, but unfortunately didn’t get the points. Sometimes football is like that,” the gaffer said.

“Sometimes football doesn’t give you the reward that you work for; we played very well today but we didn’t convert the possibilities we had and when that happens, it can put you in trouble. They profited from our error in the first half and in the second half, we took our risks,” he added.

His Jamshedpur counterpart Steve Coppell was happy with his third away win in last four games. “This is the fourth game in 11 days, and for us to pick up nine points from a possible 12, it is great. We’re very happy. We kept on going even after Mumbai scored. We rose to the challenge. I don’t know where from the boys got energy after travelling so much for last 11 days,” he said.

Spider man Subrata
Subrata Paul, who served MCFC in the first two seasons as goalkeeper, brought out many acrobatic saves to deny the home side and win Hero of the Match award. He leads the chart for the most number of clean sheets, with six so far. Due to his presence in goal and solid defence led by Anas Edathodika, Jamshedpur have conceded least 12 goals in 14 games.

“I did what my job is; we defend as a team. All of us did well to get the three points,” said Paul. “It’s my pleasure to work with coach (Coppell). I’ve learnt a lot since October, which will continue until the end, and help my career,” he said.

Paul had six clean sheets with MCFC too in its first season and he smiled, saying he still cherishes the time in the city.