Mumbai City FC boss Des Buckingham is mighty impressed with his team’s performance despite 0-2 defeat against Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League tie at the DY Patil Stadium on Monday.

The win for the Saudi side ensured Salem Al-Dawsari-led Al-Hilal lead Group D with 10 points. From the four matches they have played in the tournament, they have won three and drew one. At half-time the score was 0-0. In the 62nd minute, Al-Hilal’s Michael Delado scored the opener. In the 85th minute, Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the second goal for the visitors. Earlier, in the 58th minute, Mumbai City FC defender Mehtab Singh was sent off after he made a tackle from behind on Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and received his second yellow card. “I am very happy with what I have just watched. I think we played the best team in Asia and until the send-off, we put on a very good show. I spoke to the coach [Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus] after the match and he was very complimentary of the performances of the players, and how the team set up to make it very difficult for them. It’s a lot of hard work from my players,” said Buckingham.