Mumbai City FC interim head coach Anthony Fernandes is happy to see his side stick to the game plan as they defeated Bengaluru FC with a big 4-0 scoreline in Matchweek 9 of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.

Abdenasser El Khayati, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Akash Mishra, and Lallianzuala Chhangte all put their names on the scoresheet, helping the Islanders secure a comprehensive win against the Blues.

It's the 12th time in the history of the ISL that Mumbai City FC has won a match by a margin of four or more goals, the highest by any team in the ISL. The visitors took the upper hand against the Blues from the very opening minute of the game, giving no chance to the hosts and handing Bengaluru FC their biggest defeat at home in the ISL.

Phurba Lachenpa also displayed his brilliance under the bars to earn Mumbai City FC’s first clean sheet of the season, denying all of Bengaluru FC’s goal-scoring chances. By assisting El Khayati’s goal in the 11th minute of the game, Greg Stewart became the third player in ISL history to record 20 goals and 20 assists after Hugo Boumous and Roy Krishna. With four wins and two draws, the Islanders now move up to the fourth spot, carrying forward their six-match unbeaten streak.

Fernandes commended the players' performance, especially on Bengaluru FC's home turf. He believes that seizing the goal-scoring opportunity played a pivotal role in his team clinching a significant victory, a dynamic that was missing during the AFC Champions League.

“Coming here (in Bengaluru), we knew it was supposed to be a very tough game, especially with Bengaluru FC back at home, a very difficult team,” Fernandes stated in the post-match press conference.

"But we stuck to our plan. Like the AFC Champions League matches, we created a lot of chances, but we couldn't capitalize on them. And back here (in ISL), we got chances and we capitalized (on our chances); that’s the difference. I think, going forward, we should be very positive going into the matches for the three points,” he added.

Midfielder Franklin Robin Nazareth was handed his ISL debut by Fernandes tonight. When asked about Franklin's debut and the potential young talents in the squad, Fernandes said, “We used to encourage a lot of youngsters to be there.”

“We know we've got some talented youngsters in our team all waiting and knocking at the doors to get into the squad and then get into the team. It's a great moment for him (Franklin Robin Nazareth), and he's one of the bright futures for the team. So, we just wanted to give him a look into what he can give us in the coming matches,” he added.

Mumbai City FC will have to play a match almost every fourth day in the upcoming weeks due to a very busy schedule in December. The Islanders will face FC Goa in their next away game on December 12. Fernandes anticipates another tough game against the Gaurs and urges his players to prepare their best to achieve positive results.

“There is a match almost every fourth day. So, it's more about recovery for the players and rest, and then prepare on the third day and be ready for the next game. Against FC Goa, it’ll be another tough game to go to. But we'll try and do our best and prepare as much as possible for that game,” Fernandes concluded.

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Bengaluru FCMumbai City FC2023-2024