03 May,2024 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish Kamble
Mumbai City fans display a tifo (large choreographed banner) at a previous game. Pics Courtesy/Instagram
Fan chants in Mumbai have long been synonymous with the spirited chorus that emerges from the famous North Stand at Wankhede Stadium every season. This weekend, however, a new chant will echo; not from the stadium, but from homes, pubs, and screenings of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) finals.
Fans set off blue smoke to welcome the Mumbai team in Goa in April
"Oh Amcha junoon⦠We are the Islanders, and we bleed blue!" goes the official chant of the Mumbai City FC (MCFC) who will take on East Coast rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in a battle of the table toppers tomorrow.
I'll be travelling to Kolkata with 15 fans from the West Coast Brigade this weekend. We plan to welcome the team bus at the venue with our personalised chants to boost their morale pre-game. This has been our matchday ritual at every game we attend. MBSG are a tough team to analyse and crack. Scottish forward Jason Cummings paired with Anirudh Thapa can be a lethal combination. Hopefully, our head coach Petr Kratky has a plan to tackle that.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2-0 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
This fixture is a personal one because it brings out a rivalry between me and my dad. He is an MBSG fan, and I'm a loyal MCFC supporter. It's an official vada pav vs rasgulla night for us. On a serious note, this season has been a rollercoaster. From early transfers involving rival teams to managerial hitches along the way, we have somehow managed to come out strong.
Moments from the semi-final against FC Goa
My eyes are on Lallianzuala Chhangte AKA Mizo Flash, and his chemistry with striker Jorge Pereyra DÃaz. On the other end, I'm praying for a disciplined display of defence, like our previous game with FC Goa in the semi-finals.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2-1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
We have a strong record against our rivals but MBSG are the table toppers for a reason. It's going to be a showdown of individual encounters. MCFC's Vikram Pratap Singh against the Indian football veteran Shubhasish Bose will be exciting. The deciding factor might be the midfield encounters of Lalengmawia AKA Apuia Ralte against the likes of Joni Kauko and Deepak Tangri. It's going to be a nail-biter. For neutral spectators, it's 90 minutes of pure entertainment.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2-1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
With our former head coach Des Buckingham leaving mid-season, we still managed to make it to the finals. As a true-blue Mumbai fan, that's a massive achievement in itself. As for the finals, I'm confident the title is ours based on our previous encounters with MBSG where we have emerged victorious almost on every occasion barring the recent shield loss. Their Aussie powerhouse Dimitri Petratos can pose a threat, but I place my faith in our defenders to tackle it well. I usually travel to witness such matches live, but due to personal commitments, I will be heading to a local screening with
other supporters.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2-1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
The rivalry between the coasts isn't recent. Winning the trophy by trouncing MBSG in their own backyard is something every Mumbai fan is secretly looking forward to; especially after losing the shield by a fine margin to them at the same venue earlier this year. The chemistry between defender Rahul Bheke, midfielder Jayesh Rane and forward Chhangte will pave the way to the 18-yard box, and hopefully to the title as well. I'm heading to a screening with my fingers crossed and my lucky match-day scarf.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2-0 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
>> TAP Restobar
AT Juhu; Bandra and Andheri.
CALL 42631000
>> The Studs - Sports Bar and Grill
AT Unit 2, Centrum IT Park, Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane West.
CALL 9602299696
>> Poco Loco Town
AT Kapoor Mansion, 9, NS Patkar Marg, Gamdevi.
CALL 9321598326
>> Irish House
AT Lower Parel, Bandra, Andheri, Malad, Thane.
CALL 7045695002
Get match-ready
>> Wear the badge
Flaunt your love for the Islanders with customised phone covers, keychains, and pin badges.
LOG ON TO macmerise.com
>> Sing along
Find all the latest chants in this handy digital guidebook to get performance-ready for the weekend.
LOG ON TO @westcoastbrigade for details
>> Dress for the day
Wear your loyalty on your sleeve with a wide range of official Mumbai City FC apparel including sweatshirts, t-shirts and hoodies.
LOG ON TO fancode.com
