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After a long gap, FC Goa is finally returning home. The Gaurs have had a good start to their ongoing Indian Super League 2022-23 campaign, winning two out of the three matches they played so far. Their next assignment is against Jamshedpur FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
While the upcoming clash will be the Gaurs’ first home match of the season, it will also be their first ISL home game in front of fans in over two seasons.
Currently positioned at fifth in the standings, a win over Jamshedpur FC will propel Carlos Pena and his team into second place.
FC Goa’s opponents Jamshedpur FC, who lifted the ISL Shield last season by virtue of topping the points’ table, started the new season on an underwhelming note with a defeat against Odisha FC. In their second match, the Men of Steel took on Mumbai City and held them to a 1-1 draw in a clash that displayed their defensive prowess and attacking potential. Aidy Boothroyd’s men registered their first victory of the season last week, when they beat NorthEast United FC 1-0.
Jamshedpur FC are not an unfamiliar side for FC Goa, having faced them in a pre-season friendly in September. Their defence, led by Peter Hartley and Eli Sabia, were one of the best in the league last season.
While the Men of Steel would miss the services of ISL 2021-22 Golden Ball winner Greg Stewart who shifted base to Mumbai City, they have been able to find adequate replacements in Wellington Priori and Jay Emanuel Thomas.
Jamshedpur FC, under Boothroyd, are exponents of direct football, which involves getting the ball to their strikers as quickly and directly as possible. In Daniel Chukwu and Harry Sawyer, the Men of Steel has quite the firepower up front that helps them to be effective with this playing style.
