Des Buckingham demands his players to work as hard as they did in the last match as Mumbai City FC gears up to face Hyderabad FC in their second match of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday.

Mumbai City FC won their first match 3-0 against FC Goa. Igor Angulo scored a brace and got his golden boot ambitions off to a flying start.

The defending champions started their recent signing Rahul Bheke at center-back position along with Mourtada Fall. The new pair allowed only one shot on target from FC Goa throughout the 90 minutes.

Ahead of the match against Hyderabad FC, coach Buckingham and center-back Bheke addressed the media during the official pre-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from Buckingham’s press conference.

There were a lot of positives from the last game, do you think there were weaknesses that you need to address?

Buckingham: Yeah, it was a nice start for us. It was the first game together, we had six players making their debut for the club. And of course, we've had some changes in the coaching staff. So to get off to the start that we did was very pleasing. There's a lot of work that we still need to do. And we've been addressing that over the last couple of days. I'll keep that to myself for the time being.

How much better do you think this team can get?

Buckingham: I think every team, not just our team, the longer the season goes on the more advanced teams get. The quicker the games come the more the players get used to playing at speeds. The players will get more refined to play in the way that they want. We will continue to get better but I think so will every other team.

What do you think of Hyderbad FC’s performance in the last match?

Buckingham: Yeah, we watched their game. We thought Hyderabad FC played extremely well. They were very quick and created a lot of chances. They didn't come out with the result they would have wanted. The coach has got them very well organized. They are playing a very good standard of football. And we've played against them in the preseason. We are ready for them but again the focus is on us not so much on Hyderabad FC. We will prepare the players for what we think we're going to get from them but the focus is back on what we want to do and how we want to do.

Here are the excerpts from Bheke’s press conference.

How do you prepare for the game against Hyderabad FC?

Bheke: Obviously we know that they are a good team. But it's important that we focus on our way of play. We will be doing the same things that we did in our first game. And it's important that we get the victory.

How important was it to win the first game?

Bheke: It was an important win for us. We are happy that we kept a clean sheet and we got the result that we wanted. But now we are focused on the coming games, especially the one we will be playing on Saturday.

How was your experience playing alongside Fall?

Bheke: It was a good experience. He's always there to help me on and off the pitch. So, throughout the preseason, three weeks, he has helped me as a defender and he has shared his experience. And he's always there to help each and every one. He's one of the leaders in the squad. So it was a great experience.

From your time at BFC, how different is it to train under Buckingham?

Bheke: The coach has come up with his own experience and plans. We are all working hard to do well, and play as per the plan. So that's my main motto, and the team is improving each and every day in the training. And surely in the coming games, we will get better and do well.