It’s a proud moment for our team and country – Rahul Bheke

Mumbai City FC defender Rahul Bheke was delighted after he scored the winner against Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Air Force Club) in the AFC Champions League group stage match on Monday to help his team register a historic win of 2-1.

Hammadi Ahmed had scored the first goal at the King Fahd International Stadium for the home team in the 59th minute. Subsequently, the Islanders equalized in the 70th minute after Diego Mauricio scored through a penalty. It was Rahul Bheke who gave the winning lead to his team as he found the back of the net after five minutes.

Bheke revealed that head coach Des Buckingham motivated them before the big game and the players were able to deliver.

Bheke said after the game, “We’re extremely happy that we got our first win in the AFC Champions League, so it’s a proud moment for our team as well as for the country. As the coach said, we all are happy. He told us before the game that we have to create history by getting that first win, scoring that first goal, getting that first assist, and keeping the first clean sheet. So I’m happy for all of it except for the clean sheet. It’s a good result and we all are looking forward to the next game and getting another win.”

The 31-year-old from Mumbai added that he looks to make the most of set-pieces as being a defender he can mostly score from them.

Bheke added, “Obviously, when I go up [the field] for corners or set-pieces, that’s the only chance that I’m getting to score the goals, so I make sure that I convert that opportunity. So, we planned the set-pieces and I was at the right spot, so I’m really happy that I scored the goal and we all are happy that we got our first win.”

The Indian national feels it is a proud moment for him, his team, and his family. The defender is also hopeful of receiving support from the fans.

He added, “It’s a proud moment for me, for my family, for my team as well as for the city where I belong and I think everyone will be happy because we also got our first win, it’s just that we’re missing the fans here but hopefully we’ll see them in the stands soon. We’ll be playing in front of them soon.”

Mumbai City FC will next face Al Jazira, which has lost both of their games, on Friday at the same venue.