Preview: I-League: Struggling Mumbai FC take on formidable Mohun Bagan

Mumbai, Feb 14: A struggling Mumbai FC are eager to stop their six-game losing streak when they take on Kolkata's formidable Mohun Bagan in the I-League clash at the Cooperage Stadium here tomorrow, February 15.

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MFC have tasted nothing but losses after starting their campaign with back to back wins over DSK Shivajians at home and Churchill Brothers (away).

Head coach Santosh Kashyap, who said that such a lengthy losing streak had never happened before in his coaching career, is keen to maintain his mantra for the season - of playing attacking football.

"We are in a bad phase. This game is very important for us and we will go all out for a win. We have three home games on the trot and will try to win all," said Kashyap whose side has been beaten five times on the road during this phase.

"I have become a better coach. In a bid to achieve an extraordinary target, setbacks do happen," said Kashyap who maintained that his team, currently standing 8th in the ten-team league, was capable of finishing in the top three.

"I will not go for a draw and we will play attacking football. We will be in the top three at the end of the league," said Kashyap, adding the team will be without Steven Dias, Victorino Fernandes, Trinidadian Densil Theobald and Anderson da Silva of Brazil.

Although beset with their own share of injuries, including the knee pain complaint of key Haitian medio Sony Norde, Federation Cup champions Bagan appear to carry enough firepower to dominate MFC.

Currently second on the table with 17 points, Bagan are anxious to get back to winning ways after the draw against East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby in Siliguri.

"Mumbai FC is a good team and started the league with two wins. We have to be on the alert. It will be a difficult match. We have dropped points and want to win," said Bagan's head coach Sanjoy Sen.

Sen said as the team was to play four games in the next 12 days, including the AFC Cup qualifying match in Maldives against Club Valencia on February 21, he was carrying 29 players in his squad.

"We will see how he is feeling tomorrow. He's complained of knee pain," said Sen on Norde, adding that injured defender Raju Gaikwad was now "feeling good" but Subashish Bose has been ruled out of the tie.

PTI