The search for their first win of the campaign still on, SC East Bengal will look to take confidence from their dogged display against Bengaluru FC in the last game and put it across Mumbai City FC when the two sides meet in an ISL VIII in Vasco on Friday.

The red and gold brigade have had a wretched campaign so far, failing to win any of their nine games and languishing rock-bottom in the points table with just five points. The Calcutta side parted ways with Jose Manuel Diaz before the game against Bengaluru FC and Rennedy Singh was named interim coach.

The former India captain oversaw a spirited performance against the Blues but only managed to eke out a point from the fixture.

Rennedy, who has been SC East Bengal’s assistant coach since last season, drew plaudits for his first-ever assignment as the head coach as SC East Bengal went ahead in the first half only to be let down by an own goal.

The defence looked in better shape for the first time this season and Rennedy can take heart from the fact that his charges showed a newfound fighting spirit that was missing.

“I was happy with the way boys fought and defended in the last game. The only question now is when we get the ball, can we play with a little bit more confidence and that is what we all are working on right now. Mumbai City is one of the best attacking sides in the league. We have to make the game more difficult for them,” Rennedy said.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mumbai City were dethroned from the top of the heap by Hyderabad FC on Wednesday and Des Buckingham’s side can only blame themselves for that. Winless in the last three outings, Mumbai could only pick up one point from them.

Jhingan returns

In a boost to ATK Mohun Bagan’s backline, India defender Sandesh Jhingan rejoined his former club on Thursday, after mutually terminating his contract with Croatian side HNK Sibenik.