Crucial tie for Goa to be back in top four

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC have almost sealed the spot in the playoffs with their last win over Chennaiyin FC but their opponents for Friday's Hero Indian Super League clash - FC Goa still have got all to do if they want to join the league leaders in the top four. 

Sergio Lobera's side are currently fifth in the league standings with 20 points, just three less than third-placed Chennaiyin FC. The Goan side, however, have a game in hand. A win tomorrow here at Sree Kanteerava Stadium could see FC Goa come back in the knock out contention strongly, but that is easier said than done when you are up against Bengaluru at home. 

Albert Roca's blues are sitting comfortably at the top of points table with a five-point lead over their nearest rivals FC Pune City. Bengaluru FC have won four consecutive games in the ISL. The home side have been in scintillating form since going down unceremoniously to Delhi Dynamos last month. 

Talking about tomorrow clash at the pre-match press conference, FC Goa's assistant coach Derrick Pereira emphasized that his team is focussed on the game at hand. "we would be focussing on the games that we have to play. We don't want to think ahead at this moment," he said.

Goa’s campaign has received set back with unfavourable results in last two outing, losing to Mumbai City and later a draw with NorthEast United. FC Goa has been troubled by their defence but Pereira believes that's is a part of how they play, "I think we play as a team and we follow a certain idea. We'll stick to that and won't change on those ideas."

FC Goa can take a heart ahead of the crucial game having defeated Bengaluru in a seven-goal thriller when the two teams squared off earlier in the season in Goa. And Bengaluru FC would want to set that record straight when they go out on the field. 

"In that game, we had our chances we didn't take them. But we knew we were playing against a really good team. Tomorrow we will be playing against a team which I think will be in the top four. They are a good team and they have good players," Bengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca said.

The Spanish tactician also hinted that he may rest some of his key players for the game given the tight schedule he has got. "We have also got an AFC game coming up. So we may make some changes." 

Goa look to put their campaign back on track

Goa: Having lost a close match to Mumbai City FC in their last game, FC Goa will look to put their campaign back on track when they take on Avram Grant's NorthEast United FC in the Hero Indian Super League clash at Fatorda Stadium on Sunday. A win tomorrow can see them go fourth on the points table.

Currently sixth in the league standings with 19 points from 11 games, Sergio Lobera's men have two games in hand over third-placed FC Pune City and have played three games less than fourth-placed Jamshedpur FC, both tied on 22 points.

"At this point in time, if they let me chose between 4th, 5th or 6th having played all the games or be in a position to have games in hand, I would prefer to have games in hand. That gives us an opportunity to climb up the table. I'm sure other coaches will prefer that too" Lobera said at the pre-match press conference.

Pointing out the difference in the number of games played by each team, he added, "At the moment there are teams who have played three games less, some two less so the points table doesn't truly reflect."

The former Barcelona youth coach also brushed aside talks of pressure on his side with others overtaking them on the points table since they last played.  "Pressure doesn't exist for us at this point in time, for us, there is only excitement. Excitement to improve on the difficult season last year," he said.

FC Goa have acquired the services of Moroccan 22-year-old midfielder Hugo Adnan Boumous. But the home side will be without midfielder Seriton Fernades, who was sent off in the last match. Talking about his team selection for tomorrow, Lobera said, "there will be changes in the team. But whatever the changes we make our style of play will remain the same."

No doubt, FC Goa are one of the favorites to seal a top-four place. But, they first need to get past NorthEast United. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, FC Goa lost 1-2 in Guwahati.

NorthEast United may have lost all hopes of making it to the playoffs. But, they would still want to finish the season on a high. Under Grant, North East has seen a drastic change in fortune. They have provided glimpses of what they can do but still haven't found any consistency. The visitors come into this game at the back of a 1-2 defeat to Bengaluru FC.

Zequinha provides hope for ATK as NorthEast United suffer

Guwahati: ATK held their nerves to defeat NorthEast United FC 1-0 in a vital away victory in the Hero Indian Super League clash at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, on Friday.

The victory lifts them to sixth place after nine matches and suddenly gives them hope, and takes some wind off the sails of NorthEast United FC, who had beaten FC Goa in their previous encounter.

Zequinha was the star of the show, striking in the 73rd minute to give his side the lead and the winner. He had been threatening for a while before the ball graciously fell to him after a period of pressure from ATK. The Portuguese hammered in a volley into the far corner, his connection too sweet to not find the back of the net. 

Z equinha celebrates after scoZring against NorthEast United FC

If the first half was a slow affair, the second one started with a bang. Danilo Lopes made easy work of Jordi Montel before taking a stinging shot from outside the box. Debjit Majumder was equal to the task though, making a breath-taking fingertip save to deny the hosts. Montel made his presence felt at the other end though, when his header was a whisker wide. He then released Zequinha on the left to cross for Robin Singh but Sambinha was in the way to stop the Indian striker from scoring. 

Lopes wasn't done making Montel look like a bad defender. He was at the end of a Nirmal Chhetri long ball and Montel allowed the attacker to run in behind. His first time effort was as audacious as it was close to going in the back of the net. 

Zequinha and Lopes were ruling the second half. As the game went into end-to-end mode, the former cut in, like he so often does, and forced a fine save from TP Rehenesh. It was becoming inexplicable how the match was still goalless when Zequinha struck to break the deadlock. 

The opening exchanges saw a well-drilled NorthEast keep possession even though it was meaningless, attempting to draw out ATK rather than take the attacking initiative. 

It was only after Malemngamba Meitei started showing his ability to run with the ball and deliver that NorthEast grew in confidence going forward. First, he produced a fine run before being halted, and was at it again with a good delivery which ATK had to be alert to clear. Debjit Majumder's howler almost cost ATK when the goalkeeper needlessly came out for a ball which Tom Thorpe was seeing off - got into a mess with his teammate - before Thorpe cleared away. 

ATK broke forward in the 24th minute through Zequinha's neat run and shot which sailed just over the crossbar. Meitei then threatened again for NorthEast and this time his delivery found Sambinha, whose header was woefully directed wide. Then, within the space of seven chaotic minutes for NorthEast, ATK produced two lovely chances. Jayesh Rane's shot was blocked after an exquisite through ball from Ryan Taylor and then at the stroke of half time, Zequinha blasted it over again when he had the time and space to pick his spot. However, he would eventually deliver to put ATK out of their misery.

Chennaiyin, Pune grapple with coach suspension

Chennai:FC Pune City got four points from their last two matches while coach Ranko Popovic was serving a four-match ban. However the visitors will now have to overcome the absence of not just their coach at the touchline but also their talisman Marcelinho for a crucial Hero Indian Super League encounter against Chennaiyin FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, on Saturday. 

The Brazilian is Pune City’s leading goal scorer with six strikes, including a hat-trick, and has four assists to boot. He will, however, remain suspended for the next clash after accumulating four bookings. He has missed a match before – against Bengaluru FC – when he was not fully fit and was left on the bench, and it showed as Bengaluru FC walked away with full points. 

“Marcelinho is one of the best player in the league. We will miss him surely but I know our team has quality. If a team cannot play without one player, it’s no team. We know his importance, he is a strong player but we know how (good) is our team,” Pune City Assistant Coach Vladica Grujic said during the pre-match media interaction.

With 16 points from nine matches, Pune City are placed third, just below Chennaiyin FC who have an extra point. This puts them in a good position to push for a play-off place, though the assistant coach warned that they still have plenty to do.

“We have achieved nothing yet because you can be first, fourth or last. Now, it’s time to try to win points to come as close as possible to first four. This is our aim to come in the first four teams,” he said.

Chennaiyin FC are among the more impressive teams in this edition of ISL and are second only to Bengaluru FC. The home team, however, must shake off the absence of their coach John Gregory, who curiously also remains suspended, just like their rivals.

“Both of them are really good coaches and they are working here for the betterment of the game. I hope to see both of them back in the dugout soon,” said Grujic. 

Gregory’s absence should not impact Chennaiyin FC on the field and they should be encouraged with the return of their captain Henrique Soreno who completed serving a one-match suspension of his own.

“We know Pune is strong in attack. They look threatening. We know they are a good attacking side and will come hard at us. We are lucky that our best player, captain (Soreno) is behind. It will be a good contest,” said Assistant Coach Syed Sabir Pasha.

Chennaiyin FC have conceded goals at the death in their last two matches at home against Delhi Dynamos (2-2) and Kerala Blasters (1-1). That has cost them dearly and Pasha called for focus till the final whistle. 

“It hurts us, hurts the players. It’s just lack of focus. We have to play as a team in those last moments. Players also understand I think. It will not happen in the matches to come,” assures Pasha.

Gaurs record narrow win over Jamshedpur FC

Margao: FC Goa got back to winning ways after a slender 2-1 victory over Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Manuel Lanzarote opened the scoring at the end of the first half from the penalty spot after Andre Bikey fouled Brandon Fernandes. Steve Coppell’s men came out firing in the second half and former Gaur Trindade Goncalves headed in an equalizer in the 54th minute. FC Goa however, pushed on from there as Brandon found Lanzarote with a peach of a through ball in the 60th minute. The Spaniard ran towards goal, turned the defender and netted superbly to restore his side’s lead. Edu Bedia could have doubled the lead late in the second half after rounding Subrata Pal but hit the ball against the post.

It was the away side that started on the front foot as Ahmed Jahouh lost possession close to goal allowing Trindade Goncalves a shot at goal. Ali Mohamed was on hand to block his shot. The men of steel passed the ball around with conviction as the Gaurs struggled to keep pace with them. Trindade had another opportunity to score in the 11th minute when Jamshedpur FC were awarded a free kick on the right side, just outside the box. The Brazilian stepped up and curled an effort that flew just wide of the near post.

Jahouh was the first player to go into the referee’s book for a poor foul on Trindade. In the 16th minute, Coro set up Mandar from just outside the box but the winger curled his effort wide. Four minutes later, Jamshedpur had their best chance of the half as Izu Azuka received the ball on the edge of the box, turned Bruno Pinheiro and unleashed a ferocious effort at goal which luckily for the Gaurs, flew wide of the far post. As the half wore on, FC Goa began to get back into the game and strung a few passes around. However, they were still unable to unlock the compact Jamshedpur back line. As the half petered to a finish, the game kicked into life. Narayan Das intercepted a clearance in the 38th minute, kept possession, dodged a defender and unleashed a left footed effort that just about flew above the cross bar.

Just as the half looked like it would end all square, things took a dramatic turn. Brandon and Lanzarote played a neat one two in the penalty box and just as the winger could get a shot away; he was tackled by Andre Bikey. The Gaurs appealed for a penalty and the referee immediately pointed to the spot much to the disappoint of Bikey and the rest of the Jamshedpur side. Subrata Pal was cautioned for dissent in the ensuing scuffle. Lanzarote stepped up to take the penalty and hit it to the left of Pal who dived the right side but was unable to save it. The referee though, asked for the penalty to be retaken due to a breach in the penalty box. Once again, the Spaniard stepped up and hit his penalty in the exact same spot. Pal once again dived the right way but couldn’t get a hand on it. Soon after, the referee blew the whistle for half-time.

The men of steel came out all guns firing in the second period as well in a bid to get back in the game. They bombarded the Goan box with a number of crosses and were finally successful in the 54th minute. Jerry picked up the ball on the right wing from a clearance and curled a pin point pass towards the centre of the box where Trindade rose highest and headed it past Kattimani who was rooted to the spot. The Gaurs then began to settle down once more as they looked for a way ahead in the match. Coro received the ball in the centre of the park in the 59th minute and charged at goal before unleashing an effort that went just wide of the post. Hardly a minute later however, the Gaurs were back in front. Brandon took possession of the ball in the centre and threaded a neat through pass through to Lanzarote who ran at goal, turned the defender and curled a shot at the far post to restore the lead. Jamshedpur had the chance to restore parity once again in the 68th minute after substitute Farukh Choudhary found himself with the ball at his feet in a scramble. He failed to test Kattimani however as the chance went begging.

The men of steel pushed hard as Belfort made a nuisance of himself in the box. The Gaurs however, had a chance to extend their lead in the 77th minute as Coro played Mandar through brilliantly. The winger’s shot however flew above the crossbar. The Gaurs were sitting behind, soaking in the pressure and playing on the counter and should have doubled their lead in the 86th minute when Manvir played the ball forward for Edu Bedia who ran at Pal, rounded him but somehow hit the post with the goal at his mercy. Thereafter, the Gaurs defended resolutely through seven minutes of injury time and held out for a narrow win.