Hoping for a positive result than their opening group stage game, Mumbai City travel to Uzbekistan to face Navbahor Namangan in the AFC Champions League.
NVB vs MCFC Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 3 October 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Markaziy Stadium, Uzbekistan
NVB vs MCFC Match Preview
Very few could have predicted Navbahor to collect anything from their game against last season’s AFC Champions League finalists Al-Hilal. Yet they managed to halt the Saudi league giants to a 1-1 draw and could have pulled off a major upset if Ali Albulayhi did not score a last-minute equalizer. Facing Neymar and co on their own soil, the Uzbek side took the lead through Toma Tabatadze in the 52nd minute from an excellent counter-attack after pulling off a remarkable defensive performance. The team could have doubled their lead in the same fashion but substitute Jesurbek Yakhshiboev's effort was saved. The resistance was broken at the end but the point earned felt like a win for the guests. Navbahor will hope for all three points in the second match at home now having thrashed FC Turon 5-0 in the domestic league last week.
On the other hand, Mumbai City FC was left deeply frustrated with the 2-0 loss to AFC Champions League debutants Nassaji Mazandaran at Pune. The Islanders dominated possession on the ball and created a lot of chances yet could not find the shooting boots needed. The Iranian side took their opportunity coming from some silly mistakes in the ISL Shield winners’s defence to pick up their first-ever win at the continental stage. Mumbai City were able to start the league season in positive fashion picking up a 2-1 win against NorthEast United in the opener but then drawing 2-2 with Odisha FC. Des Buckingham’s side know they have to avoid defeat at all cost making the trip to Uzbekistan as a crunching battle with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia awaits in the third group stage match at the end of this month.
NVB vs MCFC Predicted Lineups
NVB: Utkir Yusupov; Igor Golban, Filip Ivanović, Miloš Milović, Ibrohim Yoldoshev; Abrorbek Ismailov, Oston Urunov, Jamshid Boltaboev, Jamshid Iskandarov; Toma Tabatadze, Jesurbek Yakhshiboev
MCFC: Mohammad Nawaz; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Tiri, Akash Mishra; Van Nieff, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh; Jorge Diaz
NVB vs MCFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Yusupov (7.5)
DEF: Yuldoshev (8.5), Griffiths (8), Milovic (7.5)
MID: Chhangte (9), Urunov (9), Boltaboev (8.5), Bipin (9)
FW: Stewart (9), Diaz (8) Tabatadze (7.5)
Vice-captain: Urunov
Captain: Greg Stewart
