Mumbai City FC Prepares for New ISL Season with Exciting New Signings and Strong Pre-Season
Mumbai City FC (MCFC) has kicked off their pre-season in full swing under the guidance of head coach Petr Kratky. The team began their training camp in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 28, as they prepare for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.
As part of their pre-season preparations, MCFC is set to face Vietnamese top-division side LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC in a friendly match on August 21.
The Islanders enter the new season on the back of an impressive 2023-2024 campaign, where they clinched the Indian Super League (ISL) Cup. They also achieved their highest-ever points tally in the league stage, finishing second with 47 points from 22 games, just behind Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s (MBSG) 48 points.
Mumbai City FC’s solid performance last season was highlighted by their league-best goal difference of +23. They also boasted the best defensive record, conceding just 19 goals, the fewest among all teams. This defensive solidity was anchored by goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa, who was awarded the Golden Glove for his nine clean sheets.
The Islanders showcased remarkable depth, with 16 different players finding the back of the net throughout the season, a record for the most number of goal scorers in a single ISL campaign. Among the standout performers was 22-year-old Vikram Partap Singh from Punjab, who scored eight goals and was named the Emerging Player of the League.
As they gear up for the new season, MCFC has made some strategic signings to bolster their squad. Brandon Fernandes, who returns to the club after nine years, is one of the notable additions. Hitesh Sharma has also joined the team from Odisha FC, bringing added strength to the midfield. They have also signed the 32-year-old attacking midfielder Jeremy Manzorro from Jamshedpur FC and Jon Toral, who had experience playing for clubs like Hull City and Granada CF.
On the defensive front, Syrian defender Thaer Krouma has extended his contract with the Islanders until the summer of 2025. The 34-year-old was a key figure in MCFC’s ISL Cup victory last season, where they triumphed 3-1 over MBSG in the final. The club has also secured the services of 19-year-old Supratim Das from Reliance Foundation Young Champs on a three-year deal, ensuring he will be with the Islanders until the summer of 2027.
Mumbai City FC is set to embark on their ISL campaign next month with high expectations. Despite the young squad’s struggles in the ongoing Durand Cup, the team’s recent signings and strong pre-season preparation indicate that they are eyeing top honours once again in the Indian Super League.
Doubts Revealed
Mumbai City FC -: Mumbai City FC is a football (soccer) team from Mumbai, India. They play in the Indian Super League (ISL), which is a big football league in India.
ISL -: ISL stands for Indian Super League. It is a professional football league in India where different teams from various cities compete against each other.
Pre-season -: Pre-season is the period before the official games start. During this time, teams practice and play friendly matches to get ready for the new season.
Bangkok, Thailand -: Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia. Mumbai City FC is training there to prepare for the new season.
Head coach -: A head coach is the main person who trains and manages the team. For Mumbai City FC, the head coach is Petr Kratky.
Friendly match -: A friendly match is a game played for practice and not for any official competition. It helps teams get better by playing against other teams.
LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC -: LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC is a football team from Vietnam. Mumbai City FC will play a friendly match against them.
ISL Cup -: The ISL Cup is a trophy awarded to the team that wins the Indian Super League. Mumbai City FC won it last season.
Defensive record -: A defensive record shows how well a team stops the other team from scoring goals. Mumbai City FC had the best defensive record last season, meaning they were very good at stopping goals.
Vikram Partap Singh -: Vikram Partap Singh is a key player for Mumbai City FC. He is one of the important footballers in the team.
Phurba Lachenpa -: Phurba Lachenpa is the goalkeeper for Mumbai City FC. The goalkeeper’s job is to stop the other team from scoring goals.
Brandon Fernandes -: Brandon Fernandes is a new player who has joined Mumbai City FC. He is expected to help the team perform better.
Hitesh Sharma -: Hitesh Sharma is another new player for Mumbai City FC. He will also help make the team stronger for the new season.
