No injury among Highlanders for match against Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC players during their training ahead of their home game against NortheEast United FC. Photo: ISL
Mumbai: Still basking in the success of a team effort against FC Pune City last week, Mumbai City FC need to make choices ahead of their tie against NorthEast United FC here on Friday. Why? Surprisingly, Syed Rahim Nabi has recovered from his injury and is likely to take the field, which means, somebody has to step aside.
“Though I am delighted to have both Nabi and Freddie (Ljungberg) fit, I have a problem now because I have to choose among players now. All of them did well in the last match and the competition for a place is becoming stiff. The problems are going to increase when Nicolas Anelka is ready to play,” said coach Peter Reid.
“I know Ricki (Herbert) well and how he goes about his players. I know it is going to be difficult,” he added.
Mumbai have an edge as they maintained clean sheet in the last tie and Reid also lauded the Indian footballers. Among them, was Singam Subhash Singh.
“When Subhash scored, I think he grew visibly on the pitch,” he said.
However, the coach said they need to plan the training sessions so that players don’t overtrain and injure themselves any further.
On the other hand, NorthEast United do not have any injuries and according to the coach, they have planned to attack from the onset.
“We respect Mumbai, but we are not going to move back. I’ve had a lifetime in football, so not at all worried about playing a strong side,” said Herbert, adding that the league is shaping up well and one needs to be patient to feel satisfied with the efforts.
“I think we have been playing well, we did good against FC Goa,” he added.
Though Herbert did not get a chance to concentrate on the level of Indian players overall, in other teams, in the tournament, he is impressed with Durga Boro.
“I am happy for Durga. He was criticised initially but he turned out to be a hero later,” added Herbert.
( Source : dc )
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