Sullivan Noronha
PANJIM: FC Goa take on a resurgent Chennaiyin FC in the final of the second edition of the Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa. Both teams were comfortable winners in their respective semi final matches against Delhi Dynamos and Atletico de Kolkata respectively.
While Goa were made to sweat following an away loss to Delhi in the first leg, Chennaiyin routed the defending champions Atletico de Kolkata at their makeshift home ground in Pune. The tables turned in the second leg though as Goa ran out comfortable winners against an insipid Dynamos while Chennaiyin were on the fence as Kolkata attempted a comeback.
While Goa had a comfortable run to the knockout stages, finishing top of the league table, Chennaiyin had a much tougher road. They had to turn their season around after finding themselves at the foot of the table half way through. But winning four consecutive league matches towards the end, secured their passage to the semis.
Talking ahead of the finals, FC Goa coach Zico remarked that even though his team has never beaten Chennaiyin at Fatorda, the final is a whole different game. “I think we know the team well but we have lost two times. But the final is different. The ground is the same, the ball is the same. It’s 50-50 for both teams,” he noted.
He also mentioned that his team was ready to take on the resurgent Super Machans. “Our team is ready. We’ll play according to the rules – 90 minutes or 120 minutes, whatever. We have to be attentive all the time,” he pointed out.
While most may think it is an advantage to play in front of the home fans, Zico stressed that it wasn’t so. “Many teams have won away matches. I don’t think it really matters in this competition,” he was quoted as saying.
One thing will be certain though. Goa will be witness to a fast paced, exhilarating finale to the second season of the Indian Super League.
