On Monday the ISL reaches one of the most favoured tourist destinations in India, the state of Goa on the West Coast. Along with Kolkata, Goa has been the bastion of soccer in India. While soccer was introduced in India in Kolkata by the British, it was brought to Goa by the missionaries who accompanied the Portuguese to India.
A look at the two teams:
Goa FC will be hosting Jamshedpur FC for return match of the ISL league. Coached by the Spaniard, Sergio Lobera, the Goans play the tiki-taka style of football. That style of play have suited the foreign recruits as well as the Indian and local players but their defences have been found wanting for the past two years. They have been the top scoring side in the league so far scoring 27 goals but have conceded 17 goals. This time Goa FC have fortified themselves by signing Zaid Krouch, the talented Mexican midfielder, who along with Goa’s star striker Corominas could make a difference in their striking powers.
Jamshedpur FC when they hosted Goa FC in their home match routed the westerners 4-1. Although they are newcomers to the ISL since the last season, they have proved a hard nut to crack. They just missed qualifying for the playoffs last season because of another match result they could not help. While Carlos Calvo is on suspension, Michael Sosairaj and Sergio Sidoncha who were injured are expected to take the field tomorrow. They too have a Spanish coach Cessar Fernando but have a pretty tightly woven back line. They have scored 21 goals so far in the 12 matches that they have played but conceded only 14 goals and are one point behind Goa on the league table.
If Jamshedpur FC wins tomorrows match they will occupy the fourth position. Goa FC, if they win they will be in the third position courtesy of a bigger goal difference advantage over North East United. Go FC still has a match in hand as compared to the other two teams.
Head to head:
The two teams have confronted each other three times in which Goa FC have won two encounters while Jamshedpur FC has won one.
Past 5 matches:
Goa FC: W L D L W
Jamshedpur FC: W D D W L
Key players:
Goa FC: No team can afford to take their eyes off Ferran Corominas who has scored 10 goals so far in the 10 games that he has played and has 5 assists to his credit. He also has an amazing conversion rate of 36% and would be the spearhead of Goa’s attacks on the opposing goal.
Jamshedpur FC: Michael Sosairaj, the midfielder who was previously playing for Chennai FC is a bundle of tricks. He has contributed immensely to help Jamshedpur reach so far ahead in the table. He does not miss a chance when he gets one and has contributed with three goals of his own to the team’s effort.
Predictions:
This is a crucial game for both the teams in their bid to go northward in the league table. It will also set the trend for the two teams after a long break in the holiday season. Goa FC will concentrate more on keeping the men from the Steel Town at bay from their goal and leave the scoring to their forwards. The former however will have the support of the vociferous support of their home fans.
Goa FC looks good to win 2-1
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