Mumbai Football Club hope to get the mix right

Jamil acknowledges that the task he faces is a tricky one but is ready for the challenge. After all,that’s how he earns his bread. “We have to get the selection of our foreign players right. We have managed to retain Zohib Amiri and are in talks with Yusuf Yakubu. We are looking at a couple more Brazilian players,” Jamil says.

Amiri,who is also the captain of the Afghanistan national team,also bagged the ‘Fans player of the year’ award at the Football Players Association of India’s (FPAI) Indian Football awards recently. The 23-year-old defender had some impressive performances last season and was on the radar of several clubs. “He is a very good player and has been with us for the last two seasons. He knows the strengths and weaknesses for most strikers and how to defend against them,” Jamil points out.

Every team seems to be stressing on quality imports this season – the level has suddenly risen. World Cuppers and players from more established leagues,such as the Australian League or the Portuguese second division,have signed up for the I-League clubs for the upcoming season. It’s an intriguing trend but one can understand why the clubs are insisting on better foreigners. The quality of foreign players in each squad may well separate the best from the rest but Jamil is looking beyond the obvious.

The 36-year-old says Mumbai FC are planning to include more youngsters in their squad. “We are looking to induct more youngsters in our roster. The idea is to groom young players and develop a team that can help us achieve our long-term goals,” he says.

Jamil,who was the coach of Mumbai FC’s under-19 team before graduating to the main side,is of the opinion that the young Indian players possess more talent and knowledge of the game than some of the experienced campaigners. “Moreover,they are fitter and hungrier. It’s just that we need to channel their enthusiasm in right direction,” the former India international says.

Mumbai FC had a modest campaign last season,finishing eighth out of 14 teams. The consistent mid-table finishes have been a regular feature under Jamil’s reign,in fact,but Jamil’s reputation has increased thanks to the manner in which he has handled the day-to-day affairs with the low-budget side. For the next season,Mumbai have extended the contracts of John Coutinho,Ashutosh Mehta and Jayesh Rane and Air India’s Branco Cardozo has already joined their ranks.

With a lot of uncertainty over the format of the I-League next season,Jamil hasn’t been able to plan the pre-season as he had wished but was hopeful of a solution during Wednesday’s meeting between the clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The AIFF has decided to have a conference model for the league next season whereas the clubs have demanded to stick to the current home-and-away format.

Jamil said there was no harm in giving the conference model a shot. “We can try it for one season. The AIFF has their reasons for changing the format of the league. If it works,we can go ahead with it or revert back to the usual format,” he says. “If they stick to the conference model,my target is simple: we need to finish in the top our of the Western Conference and qualify for the final phase. If we manage to do that,I will be quite content with it.”

Tigers sign two more players

Meanwhile,Mumbai Tigers have continued their aggressive pursuit of players for the upcoming season,sealing the deal for left-back Nallappan Mohanraj and midfielder Pradeep Mohanraj. The duo has agreed for a one-year contract. The Tigers had recently completed the signing of Royston Dsouza and Rahul Bheke. The club has also retained Mohammed Rafi and Kali Alaudeen Nishtar,as Bimal Ghosh looks to build a side capable of giving the big-wigs a fight in the I-League next season.