I-League Qualifiers -- Mohammedan Sporting coach Yan Law upbeat about ARA challenge, praises AIFF's COVID-19 safety protocol

MOHAMMEDAN SPORTING HEAD COACH Yan Law is upbeat about his team's chances ahead of facing ARA FC tomorrow at the I-League Qualifiers.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he talked about the challenges faced by his team in the previous match against Garhwal FC; a game that remained goalless for 93 minutes before Munmun Lugun scored a stunning goal in the last minute of added time to secure the win for MSC. Looking back, Law said,

"We missed some chances. We hit the woodwork twice. We missed a penalty and some sitters. So we have to learn from our mistakes... we have been working on these things. Looking at the positives, I can see the boys are hungry to win. Getting the last minute goal showed what they were working for. I am pround of them. Three points... it wasn't the best game but we can do a lot better."

Asked whether the fact that ARA FC have seen Mohammedan Sporting in action already while MSC haven't seen this ARA team play yet would be a factor in the match, Law again cited the previous game as an example of a similar situation,

"It's always been a blind match. We never got the opportunity to see our opponents before playing them. ARA have seen us play but we have definitely worked on some things that maybe they won't expect."

The 27 year old head coach, who was in charge of Punjab FC last season, said that the COVID-19 safety precautions taken by the Federation at the I-League Qualifiers were adequate and allowed his team to focus on the game wihtout doubts or fears,

"The rules set by AIFF are just fantastic. I've said it before, we all feel safe. It's a new atmosphere, playing with your bench in the gallery, only four people in the dugout and all the safety rules we have to follow. But it's better to go through this than have no football at all... we are keeping the players motivated through this by taking care of them individually, asking about their health, discussing strengths and weaknesses. They know why we are here... we want to take this team into I-League, that's all everyone is thinking right now."

Mohammedan Sporting face ARA FC on Sunday, 11th October, at 12:30 pm. The match, like every game in the I-League Qualfiers, is going to be crucial since every team gets to play only 4 matches, which has created a large possibility of the top spot being decided by goal difference alone. After the first round, Bhawanipore FC are at the top of the table thanks to their 2-0 win over FC Bengaluru United. 

With Mohammedan Sporting putting a lot of efforts and resources behind this team in the hope of a place in I-League 2020-21, Law's Black Panthers will have to fight for every goal they can get to maximize their club's chances of fulfilling that dream.