Mumbai City FC Hope To Play Friendly With FC Goa in Dubai

Four Goan players- Pratesh  Shirodkar, Gabriel Fernandes, Rowilson Rodrigues and Albino Gomes- land in  Dubai  today  with team  Mumbai City FC  for pre-season training. Brandon Fernandes who has joined the India camp may join the team later, depending whether he is picked up by coach Stephen Constantine for India XI.

Mumbai City FC have made a request to team FC Goa for a friendly match during their practise session as the Goan ISL outfit is to start their pre-season training nearby on September 3. “Zico will take a final call on the practise match with Mumbai city FC.”  stated a senior FC Goa  official associated with the teams tour to Dubai to The Goan.

The full Mumbai City FC contingent arrives in Dubai today along with marquee player cum coach Nicolas Anelka. “ We definitely want Brandon to be selected and play for India . If he can home here too , it will be fine. But, I don’t think he will get much time to gel with the team here,” stated a Mumbai City FC official to The Goan.

Mumbai FC are expected to train in Dubai for three weeks and will come back to Mumbai to practise at the once famous Cooperage stadium later. “The remaining of the training will take place only at the Cooperage. We have booked a hotel nearby for the entire squad and all will be staying together, “stated the member of the Mumbai city FC team.

“This is a once of a life time opportunity to learn with the senior players from abroad. I am going to give my hundred per cent on and off the field. Learning to improve my skills and techniques are going to be my first priority, said Pratesh Shirodkar hours before boarding the flight to Dubai.

“Gabriel, Albino and Rowilson are with me. We met with some of the other boys from various parts of India. We are waiting to meet Sunil Chetri too. The chance to play and train along with him ,’ is another opportunity,” stated Pratesh.