Christmas in Goa arrives a week ahead – houses lit with stars, incandescent lamps and Fir trees nestled in nooks and corners.
Manolo Marquez’s FC Goa will look to add the cherry on the cake as it hopes to humble table-topper Mohun Bagan Super Giant in its final Indian Super League (ISL) match of the year, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday.
After struggling to win games early on – one win in the first six matches – this season, Goa looks to have found its rhythm after the return of centre-back Sandesh Jhingan and has won four of its last five games, drawing the previous one 2-2 with Bengaluru.
Its form has helped it climb to fourth in the table and a win against the Mariners would take it to third after 12 games and just a point off the top two, i.e. automatic semifinalist spot.
“For us, it is very important because after this, we won’t play till January 4. By then, most teams would have played 14-15 games, with our team at 12. And because we have a big break, it would be good to win the game (and be in an advantageous position with games in hand),” Marquez told reporters before the match.
Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, has been the most balanced side in the league so far. From clutch goals and squad depth to a stifling back-line, Jose Molina’s side has had it all.
Almost a fourth of its points have come from goals after the 85th minute, including a screamer against Kerala Blasters by Alberto Rodriguez. It has also conceded the least number of goals (10) this season, while Goa (15) is outside the top four.
However, the biggest strength of the Mariners has been the quality of players outside its starting eleven, one that has seen Liston Colaco step into Ashique Kuruniyan’s shoes while Dimitrios Petratos has continued to be an attacking threat – 30 chances created in 11 matches – without Greg Stewart.
“We are working really hard trying to win the (ISL) Shield but at this moment, the most important thing is to win the next match. The season is long and we are still halfway more or less,” Molina told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
“(We’ve had a) good performance so far, the players are doing well and trying to keep performing the same way. Hopefully, we can have a good match tomorrow and win here in Goa.”
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Another sub-plot to the clash would be Armando Sadiku facing his former side for the first time. The Albanian was involved in a revolving-door transfer this summer when Stewart joined the Mariners while he moved to the Gaurs.
But his attacking exploits have continued as he remains third in the Golden Boot race, with eight goals and two assists in 10 games for his new team.
Though he did not start the previous match, an injury to Dejan Drazic against Bengaluru could see Sadiku return as the No. 9, with Iker Guarrotxena or Borja Herrera play as an attacking midfielder.
Marquez could experiment with Ayush Chhetri and Sahil Tavora in the midfield, especially after the latter’s stunner in the previous match.
Aakash Sangwan is expected to remain as the starting left-back over Jay Gupta, with the former Chennaiyin FC player having the fourth-highest number of progressive carries – highest among Goa players – in ISL this season.
The Mariners, on the other hand, are expected to continue with their most stable starting line-up without Stewart. The 34-year-old former Rangers man was out of Mohun Bagan’s 3-2 win over the Blasters and will remain out of the squad against Goa as he recuperates from a knee injury.
The two teams have met 24 times over all competitions, with Mohun Bagan enjoying an upper hand with 10 wins while Goa has won six times.
Goa has lost two matches in ISL this season and both have come at home while Mohun Bagan’s only loss (0-3 against Bengaluru) was in an away game. With odds in the balance between the two sides, it remains to be seen for whom the bell tolls.
The match is scheduled for a 7:30 pm kick-off.
Predicted line-ups:
FC Goa – (4-2-3-1)
H. Tiwari; A. Sangwan, S. Jhingan, O. Onaindia (C), Boris S.; C. McHugh, A. Chhetri; M. Yasir, B. Herrera, Udanta S. – A. Sadiku
Mohun Bagan Super Giant – (4-2-3-1)
V. Kaith; S. Bose (C), T. Aldred, A. Rodriguez, A. Rai; S. A. Samad, Lalengmwaia; L. Colaco, D. Petratos, Manvir Singh – J. Maclaren
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com