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The Indian Super League (ISL) 2019/20 semifinals are set to begin on Saturday, where Chennaiyin FC will be playing host to FC Goa in the first leg of the first semifinal. A day later, the other two semifinalists, Bengaluru FC and ATK FC will go head-to-head at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru in the second semifinal. The return leg of both matches will be played on March 7 and 8, respectively.
Teams with the highest goal aggregate in their respective two-legged ties will progress to the final. In case scores are tied after two legs, the ‘away goal’ rule will apply i.e. the team which has scored more away goals over will qualify for the final. If the away goal rule cannot determine a winner, the game will go to the extra time in the second leg. The away goal rule will not apply in extra time and the team that scores the higher number of goals in extra time will win the semifinal. If both teams score none or equal number of goals in extra time, the winner will be decided through the penalty shootout.
Additionally, yellow cards and cautions accumulated from the league stage will not be carried forward to the playoffs. However, a suspension resulting from a caution in their last league game will be applicable in the first leg semifinal. As a result, Chennaiyin FC’s Tondonba Singh remains suspended for their home leg playoff. In addition, if a player or team official receives a caution in both legs of their playoffs, he will be suspended for the final.
The two teams making it through to the final will face off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday, March 14 for the title of the ISL 2019-20 champions and the coveted trophy.
Semifinal fixtures:
Semifinal #1 – 1st Leg
Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa
Date: February 29, 2020
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Semifinal #1 – 2nd Leg
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC
Date: March 7, 2020
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa
Semifinal #2 – 1st Leg
Bengaluru FC vs ATK FC
Date: March 1, 2020
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
Semifinal #2 – 2nd Leg
ATK FC vs Bengaluru FC
Date: March 8, 2020
Venue: Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
