Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
FC Goa welcome Jamshedpur FC in Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday. The Gaurs come off the back of a shock 2 – 1 setback at the hands of Northeast United FC and despite netting the maximum number of goals this season, find themselves outside the top four. They will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Jamshedpur in front of their vociferous home support. The visitors, meanwhile, finally opened up in their previous fixture against Mumbai City FC – both in attack and defence – as they scored and conceded twice in a match for the first time this season. Jamshedpur can go level on points with Goa if they manage to pick up their third victory of the season on the road.
KEY PLAYERS
Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)
The league’s top scorer so far has bagged nine goals and three assists, but failed to deliver against the Highlanders last time around. He has troubled each and every defence that he has faced so far with his speed and clinical finishing, making it tough for any opponent to contain him. Corominas will once again look to inspire Goa to a win when they host the best defence in the league.
Izu Azuka (Jamshedpur FC)
The Nigerian is his team’s highest scorer and scored both Jamshedpur’s goals in their last fixture against the Islanders. Strong and pacey, he is capable of outfoxing any defence and more often than not, wins his aerial duels. The 28-year-old has netted three goals this season and gets a lot of shots away in each match. Azuka’s performance will be key to Jamshedpur’s chances of success against Goa.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Goa
Sergio Lobera will probably stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation which ensures Corominas receives good service upfront.
Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani
Defenders: Narayan Das, Mohamed Ali, Sergio Juste, Seriton Fernandes
Midfielders: Edu Bedia, Manuel Arana, Brandon Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai, Manuel Lanzarote
Forward: Ferran Corominas
The host’s head coach on the home support and the pressure to deliver: “We don’t have any pressure. We are a team that has a lot of excitement. We’re coming from a very difficult season last year. I think we’ve recovered the confidence and faith of the supporters with the style of play and results. For me as a coach, we have to be in the top with a point of view of excitement and not pressure.”
Jamshedpur FC
Steve Coppell may use a 4-2-3-1 formation of his own to counter the home team.
Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul
Defenders: Souvik Chakrabarti, Anas Edathodika, Tiri, Shouvik Ghosh,
Midfielders: Mehtab Hossain, Memo, Trindade Goncalves, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Kervens Belfort
Forward: Izu Azuka
The visitor’s head coach on how he evaluates the match: “Test of our defence against the most fluid attacking unit. They (FC Goa) score goals freely as they’ve shown against a number of sides. It’s a challenge for us to stifle that threat and obviously do our best to hurt them as well. We have come here not just to defend, we want to play a full part in this game and that means not just doing our defensive duties but also trying to expose any weaknesses they might have at the back. I hope it’s a good game.”
KEY STAT
Goa have scored the highest number of goals (20) so far, while conceding the second most as well (15). Jamshedpur have scored (4) and conceded (4), the least amount of goals this season on either front.
FORM GUIDE (last five matches)
FC Goa: L D L W W
Jamshedpur FC: D L W L W
