Mumbai FC have made some formidable signings with the likes of the Japanesse born Indian midfielder Arata Izumi. Arata will join his former teammates Steven Dias and N.P Pradeep.
Mumbai FC started the 2014-15 season with three back to back defeats. Mumbai FC had a modest home record in the last season having won 5 matches out of the ten. They have been managed to finish in the mid table for the last few seasons. Their biggest defeat came against Shillong Lagong. The Reds defeated them 6-0. They finished sixth in the I-league with 24 points from 20 matches.
Izumi, The Japanese born Indian midfielder has signed on loan from ISL outfit Atletico de Kolkata. Arata got Indian citizenship in 2012. The versatile midfielder made his debut in the Indian jersey in 2013. Arata will bring in a lot of experience to the Mumbai FC midfield.
Mumbai FC has announced Japanese midfielder Taisuke Matsugae as the captain of the 2015-16 season. The 33 years old has extended his contract and Khalid Jamil would have to rely a lot on him.
Khalid Jamil has been managing the side since 2009. The ex-Indian player is hopeful of brushing aside last year’s awful performance. “Last season we did not start well and lost three matches (all away from home). We played our away games better in the second half. This season I am hoping for a better start.”
Mumbai FC will kick off their I-league campaign against Shillong Lajong away from home onJanuary 10 followed by three home matches against East Bengal (January 17), Salgaocar (January 24) and Bengaluru FC (January 27).
Mumbai Fc also acquired the services of North Korean defender Min Chol Son and Liberian midfielder Eric Brown. Son has previously played for Shillong Lajong and has the experience of playing in the I league. Eric Brown has earlier plied his trade with United Sports.
Mumbai FC have also signed Steven Dias. ISL champion Jayesh Rane the young winger who played for Chennaiyin FC is also a good addition to the squad. Goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh who earlier has played with Delhi Dynamos is also in the side.
“We have adequately replaced those players who have left us and they are also slightly better. I took a lot of time for the composition of the team. We have quality players,” Jamil added.
Mumbaic FC squad :
Goalkeepers: Sanjiban Ghosh, Pawan Kumar, Kunal Sawant.
Defenders: Allan Joseph Dias, Srikanth Ramu, Clyde Cyril Fernandes, Pratik Prabhakar Chowdhary, Min Chol Son, Thiyam Chinggkheinganba, Ashutosh Mehta.
Midfielders: Steven Benedic Dias, Malemnganba Meitei, Taisuke Matsugae, Eric Brown, Hitesh Sharma, Asif Kottayil, Darren Caldeira, N.P. Pradeep, Arata Izumi.
Forwards: Rohit Mirza, Ryuki Kozawa, Jayesh Rane, Cletus Dominic Jacob Paul, Karan Sawhney.
Coach: Khalid Jamil