Fresh off securing the Indian Super League Winners’ Shield in record-breaking fashion, Mumbai City FC are preparing themselves for another challenge – a Qualifier for a Group Stage spot in the coveted AFC Champions League.
The Islanders will take on Jamshedpur FC – League Shield winners from last season – in a highly anticipated one-off tie on April 4 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri, Kerala to determine which team will have the opportunity to compete in the 2023-24 edition of Asia’s premier club football competition.
Looking ahead to next week’s encounter, head coach Des Buckingham spoke about the squad’s morale and their ensuing confidence following a historic campaign.
“The morale is good, everyone is coming off the back of a successful league season. We’ve had a brief break to recalibrate and now the squad is fit and fresh. We have no selection issues or worries. We’ve got a group of players that are very hungry to finish the season as strong as we started”, said Buckingham in an official statement released by Mumbai City.
Nearly 12 months ago, Mumbai City FC wrote a piece of Indian football history when they became the first Indian club to win a game in the Group Stage of the coveted AFC Champions League. A second win followed along with a draw for Des Buckingham’s side as the Islanders finished a second in their group with 7 points.
With the finest football clubs across Asia competing in this continental showcase, the AFC Champions League brings the opportunity to rub shoulders with the elite – an experience Des Buckingham and the Islanders relished in the last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
