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FC Goa host Chennaiyin FC in the first leg of the second semifinal of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday. The Gaurs are the highest scorers in the league with 42 goals and are on the back of three consecutive and comprehensive victories. Playing at home against the team they lost the 2015 ISL title to, they would want to gain a sizeable advantage going into the return leg.
Chennaiyin FC, like their opponents, are on an unbeaten run of five matches and finished as the second-best team in the league phase. Playing in the den of the team they beat to clinch their sole Hero ISL title, they would be on the lookout for some crucial away goals to ensure the advantage stays when they host the Gaurs at home.
HEAD TO HEAD
FC Goa 4–5 Chennaiyin FC
KEY PLAYERS
Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)
The Spaniard is the league’s top scorer with 18 goals so far to his name. He has made quick work of his opponents with his pace and poaching abilities. A clinical finisher, Corominas keeps the opposition defence on its toes throughout a match. He also has five assists to his name and will want to be at his deadly best against Chennaiyin.
Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)
The Mizo Sniper has been rather quiet in the last few games but is his team’s highest scorer this season with seven goals. Strong and opportunistic, Jeje does not need any second invitation to pounce on an opening. A player who can hold off opposition defenders to good effect, he will be looking to put on his scoring shoes during the visit to Goa.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Goa
Sergio Lobera will most likely go with a 4-2-3-1 formation to maximise the width of the pitch.
Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani
Defenders: Narayan Das, Bruno Pinheiro, Sergio Juste, Mohamed Ali
Midfielders: Hugo Boumous, Brandon Fernandes, Pronay Halder, Mandar Rao Dessai, Manuel Lanzarote
Forward: Ferran Corominas
Gaurs head coach Lobera on the team’s approach to the game: “I don’t think our playing style will change. The team needs to continue with the mentality that they have at this point of time. In the last three games, we have got very good numbers in terms of the number of goals we scored and the amount we have conceded. And this the way to go about.”
Chennaiyin FC
John Gregory may use a 4-2-3-1 formation, which will depend on services from the wide areas and midfield for the striker.
Goalkeeper: Karanjit Singh
Defenders: Inigo Calderon, Mailson Alves, Henrique Sereno, Jerry Lalrinzuala
Midfielders: Dhanpal Ganesh, Anirudh Thapa, Thoi Singh, Rene Mihelic, Gregory Nelson
Forward: Jeje Lalpekhlua
Chennaiyin head coach Greg?ory on playing in the semi-final: “Now we start from scratch. There are no points to play for, so it’s just purely a two-legged semi-final and a one-off final. And I am ready for it. My players have been rested and I can assure you, they are very fired up.”
KEY STATS
– Goa have scored 22 goals at home (most by any team) while Chennaiyin have kept 4 clean sheets away from home (second highest after Jamshedpur).
– Chennaiyin have 12 different goalscorers so far (most by any team)
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
FC Goa 0–1 Chennaiyin FC (15th February 2018 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa)
FORM GUIDE
FC Goa: W W W D L
Chennaiyin FC: W D D W D
