Mumbai City FC will be eyeing to clinch their first win of the 2018-19 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) campaign when they go heads up against rivals FC Pune City in the Maha derby. Their opponents FC Pune City will be all charged up after a good performance against Delhi Dynamos, away from home and will be determined to cause the hosts’ problems.

Ahead of the game, indiansuperleague.com caught up with Mumbai’s versatile defender Subhashish Bose who recently featured in India’s game against China as well. The 23-year-old spoke about the ongoing Hero ISL campaign, while also stating his ambition of representing the country for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. Here are the excerpts:

What has the team been doing differently in training after the first two matches?

We have already played two matches and in training, we try to rectify the mistakes which we have made. Now in the next match, we won’t make those mistakes and we will get the team together. The team is getting better day by day so in the next match we will try to do better and get the three points.

On the derby against FC Pune City.

Derbies are always important. I have played derbies before when I was at Mohun Bagan, but this is the first time I’m going to play the Maha derby. I’m excited but we need to focus, and we should not think about it as a derby. We need to perform well and take the three points in the next match and that’s important for us.

On his preferred role in the team.

I prefer full-back but I’m also comfortable as a centre back. Whatever role is given to me in the team I will try to give my best. I played as a centre back for the Indian team against China and I tried to give my best. Even here at Mumbai City FC, the coach plays me as a centre back and as a full-back as well. So, wherever the team needs me I’m ready to play over there.

On his time with Mumbai City FC and what he wants to achieve with the team.

I was not with Mumbai City FC during the pre-season, I was with the national team. I came in and joined the team later. There is a good atmosphere within the team and in the dressing room. The team is united. In the future, we will surely perform well and this year we will try to bring the trophy to Mumbai.

On the result against People’s Republic of China.

We performed well. The match against People’s Republic of China was really important for us. It was not just a friendly. We worked very hard to play well in that match and the whole country was watching us, so we needed to assure them that we can also do well. If we keep playing against good sides like People’s Republic of China, we will keep improving and it will be good for us during the Asian Cup.

Will you be able to retain your place in the national side for the upcoming tournaments?

Whenever I play for the country I play as if it is the last match for me. I give 100 %, and everything depends on the coach. But for me whenever I get the chance I will give 100 % and I want to represent the country in the Asian Cup and want the team to win it as well.

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