MUMBAI: The prospect of facing Neymar and the rest of Al-Hilal’s expensively assembled squad is “exciting”, said Mumbai City coach Des Buckingham after the Indian side were drawn against the Saudi outfit in this year’s Asian Champions League.

The reigning Indian champions will be making their second appearance in the continental championship when it kicks off in September and were drawn to face the Brazilian and the big-spending four-times champions in the group stages on Thursday.

“I think anyone that’s seen the movement in some of these teams, and Neymar being the latest to arrive there, it’s exciting,” Buckingham told the club’s official media.

“They’re bringing that calibre and quality of player to India, which is going to be extremely exciting for us and for our club but also for the fans of India to come and see that level of player.”

Mumbai City made their debut in the competition last year but were eliminated in the group phase, twice losing heavily to Saudi side Al-Shabab.

Mumbai City will begin their campaign against Nassaji Mazandaran on Sept 18 in Pune, with only the group winners guaranteed a place in the next round.

“On the pitch it will be good, but it’s the same as the other clubs,” Buckingham said of the challenge his team faces.

“They’re very good players and champions in their own right and we need to make sure now that we focus on what we want to do.”

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2023