Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
FC Goa will look to record their first win in the Derrick Pereira era when they clash against high-flying Kerala Blasters at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Sunday evening. In what would be the first match in the Indian Super League this calendar year, the Gaurs will hope that history will be on their side again as they meet a side they have not lost to since 2016.
It will, however, be another uphill battle for the Gaurs as they look to get back to winning ways after failing to secure three points in any of their last four games. On the other hand, Kerala Blasters come into the game having not lost a game since their 4-2 drubbing at the hands of ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL season opener.
Under the tutelage of Ivan Vukomanović, Kerala Blasters seem to have finally hit the right chords as the revamped foreign contingent looks to be the perfect foil for the Indian core. The Men in Yellow have looked a balanced side with the attack as well as defence winning them matches.
FC Goa, on the other hand, have experienced a season that has been marred by inconsistencies. The wind of momentum gained from the Durand Cup triumph seems to be long gone. A mid-season change in head coach combined with a paltry return of 11 goals from eight games and no clean sheets have meant that the Gaurs currently lie in 9th place on the table.
And whilst recent performances have been encouraging, the team is still looking to hit the right gears as the season approaches the halfway point.
Derrick Pereira fully appreciates the task ahead of the Gaurs. Speaking ahead of the game, he said, “Kerala Blasters right now are in good form. The results may not have been indicative of the same. However, we have been improving of late as well. We have made good strides on the defensive side of things. So we will rely on the same to keep Kerala and their threat on goal at bay.”
“We will have to improve other parts of our game – especially on finishing and play in the final third. We are working on it. We are trying to find the right combination up front. We have been constantly making changes during the course of the league and even before it.”
“We have always been feared by our opponents for our attacking prowess and we are looking to get back to that level. Injuries and health issues haven’t been kind to us this season. We will get it right.”
