Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky commended his players' fighting spirit as they registered their first victory in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a 2-1 win against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa in Saturday's opener.

Two first-half goals from Nikolaos Karelis and Yoell van Nieff propelled the Islanders to get the better of the Gaurs. Despite the hosts decreasing the lead with Armando Sadiku's penalty, Kratky's men displayed their utmost grit and determination and maintained their lead to secure their first three points.

Match Report: FC Goa 1-2 Mumbai City FC

With that, Mumbai City FC are now unbeaten in each of their last four away games against the Gaurs.

"It feels good. The three points are very important, especially from FC Goa, because they're a quality team," Kratky said in the post-match press conference.

However, the head coach urged his players to work hard to carry forward the positive momentum.

"We still need to improve a lot of football, but we are on a good pathway," Kratky stated.

"The boys are together, which is very important, and fighting until the last minute, because it's not easy to come here and get the three points. So, I'm very happy for the group, and again, it's part of the football, where we need to just go game by game, and now we have to focus on the other one," he continued.

The Islanders were leading the game by a 2-0 scoreline at the half-time break. While quizzed about his final message before the second half, Kratky remarked,

"We were just advising the players and the team in the changing room, just do your best and work hard. You know how it is; they will score goals; they will try to get momentum; they have nothing to lose for the second half, so we make sure the players are ready mentally for it."

"Again, it was tough, a tough game, I wouldn't lie, but the boys did well in the defending, especially the second half, and got three points," he signed off.