After beating Al Shabab in their opening encounter of the preseason tour of Dubai, Indian Super League outfit Mumbai City FC are looking forward to making full use of their remaining friendly games, as they eye the best possible preparation for the ISL 2015 campaign.
The Mumbai-based franchisee side arrived in Dubai on 25 August, and since then they have undergone some rigorous training in foreign pastures. Nicolas Anelka's side got past the Arabian Gulf League outfit on 31 August in their first game of the exposure trip.
Goals from Brazilian forward Andre Moritz and former West Ham and Monaco striker Frederic Piquionne gave Mumbai a comfortable 2-1 victory in the game.
Lapping up the oodles of exposure the Mumbai side are getting this summer, marquee player-manager Anelka stated that the tour is turning out to be a great experience for his men, and the morale of the team is only increasing.
"This is an excellent start to our ISL season 2 preparations. The facilities are great here in Dubai and the team seems to be getting along and gelling well with each other in just the first week of pre-season," the former Real Madrid and Chelsea target man said.
"It's the first time that some of the international boys are meeting the entire team and the entire experience has been great for everyone. Our target is for the entire team to be in the best possible shape by the time we reach Mumbai and we all are working very hard towards it," the Frenchman added.
Mumbai City FC have announced that the team will also be travelling to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi as a part of their preseason tour, and will make their return to India on 12 September.
The domestic stars, who are currently in the national training camp for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Iran on 8 September in Bangalore, will join the rest of the Mumbai City FC squad on 9 September.
The list of the Indian players include stalwarts Subrata Paul and Sunil Chhetri.
The Remainder of the preseason friendlies for Mumbai City FC this month:
4 September - Arabian Gulf League outfit Baniyas FC vs Mumbai City FC
6 September – A local Dubai side vs Mumbai City FC
9 September – Arabian Gulf League side Emirates Club vs Mumbai City FC
