Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky expressed satisfaction with his team's performance as they edged past East Bengal FC with a 1-0 scoreline in Matchweek 15 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday.

The Islanders kept control over the match throughout the 90 minutes but only managed a single goal courtesy of East Bengal FC’s unwavering resilience. Twenty-four minutes into the match, Alberto Noguera sent in an accurate cross for Iker Guarrotxena near the six-yard box, which the Spaniard calmly controlled before putting it right past the keeper to give his team the lead.

Although the Red and Gold Brigade tried their best, they couldn’t equalise, concluding the match 1-0 for Mumbai City FC at full time.

FT: EBFC 0⃣-1⃣ MCFC

3️⃣ vital points in Kolkata! 🙌

A solid win for #TheIslanders away from home 💪🩵#EBFCMCFC #ISL10 #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/i8BGR5nz4s

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) February 13, 2024

The Islanders head coach was proud of his team’s performance and considers it quite a feat defeating a team as strong as East Bengal FC who have already proven themselves in the league and the Kalinga Super Cup, lifting their first silverware in 12 years.

“Today was a very good game from us and we knew East Bengal FC is a very hard opposition," Kratky said in the post-match press conference.

"They are a good team. They proved it in the Kalinga Super Cup and also they proved it the first time at our home, I think it was a draw. We tried to use our strength and do things better, quicker, you know, and we got rewarded today,” added Kratky.

Appreciating Guarrotxena for his goal, he added, “Also we have Iker who scored the goal. He has had a very good game. So everything is starting to link together and you know, we get rewarded today with good football and win.”

Mumbai City FC suffered a shocking defeat last week against Jamshedpur FC who came back from 2-0 down and ended up stealing all three points right away from under the nose of the Islanders. Comparing the two games, the Czech-Australian tactician shared that they had learned their lessons from the mistakes made then and with a good week of training, managed to bounce back.

Kratky said, “You have high and low. It’s very important, we go game by game and we learn from it. And, the boys, the group, did a fantastic job," he said.

"And again we had a very good week of training, you know, and we learned from our mistakes. You know, we learn how to manage the games, and we prove it today. So hopefully we just keep building on it, you know, and, going forward, this is what I'm looking for. You know, we bounced back and I'm very happy for the group and they did so well today," he added.

Giving an update on the availability of his players, Kratky is glad to have all his players back in the squad now, returning from injuries and suspensions, and considers it a positive headache to choose the best combinations from them to start the next game.

“The boys will be all available now. They're coming from injuries and suspensions, which is very good. It's a nice headache to have, you know. So now we have to find the best blend for the next game,” he shared.

The 42-year-old was full of praise for their new signing, Syrian defender, Thaer Krouma, and concluded by expressing confidence in his foreign players.

“Krouma, Tiri, Alberto (Noguera), also Yoell van Nieff, who stayed home behind, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, and the fantastic foreigners, you know, I'm very happy with all of them. So Krouma had a very good game. I'm very happy with what I saw from him, he's a very good player, he's a good leader. So I was very pleased with what I saw,” shared Kratky.

“But again, it's not just about him. It's all players, you know, foreigners plus Indian players. This is what makes the team. So I'm very happy and proud of all of them. They did well today,” he wrapped up.