Mumbai FC challenge for AIFF colts

 Buoyed by their highly impressive come-from-behind 3-1 victory against defending champions Pune FC in their last match, All India Football Federation’s Navi Mumbai Regional Academy Boys will look to maintain the momentum when they take on Mumbai FC U-19 in a Round V tie of the U-19 I-League on Thursday (February 19, 2014).

With an all-win record in the four outings so far, the U-16 AIFF Academy Boys, it seem, enjoy an edge in the away tie. But Head Coach Sajid Dar is guarding against any sort of complacency.

“We cannot afford to be complacent at all. We play three of our four games away from here on and therein lies the real challenge,” Dar told www.the-aiff.com. “Mumbai FC are a good side and have won handsomely in their last match against PIFA Sports (U-19 Team),” he added.

Coached by Abdul Siddiqui, Mumbai FC are presently placed third in the five-team points table having won their last encounter 5-1 against PIFA Sports. Midfielders Prince Anandraj and Kiran Gaddam along with Forward Girik Gosla are the Players to watch out for.

“The first two away games against Mumbai FC and PIFA are very important for us. It gives us the chance to gauge our form away from home. Though I feel at this age it wouldn’t be of much difference, but still in front of a different crowd and atmosphere, it will be a new experience for the Boys,” Dar stated.

“We will stick to our game plan and most importantly, our philosophy. I have always maintained that our first motive is to improve match by match and see that the boys stick to the philosophy which is being preached,” he added.

The Academy boys had a light early morning training session on Tuesday (February 18, 2014). “We had a light training session as I want them to have full recovery ahead of tomorrow’s travel,” Dar informed.

The match at the Goans Ground in Mumbai on Wednesday kicks-off at 3pm.

AIFF Press Release