10 Mar 2018 | 05:12am IST
Old foes resume rivalries as Gaurs host Chennaiyin
Goa has won four out of nine matches played against Chennaiyin FC; Lost the famous final in 2015
PANJIM: Playing their third semi-finals in four seasons, FC Goa will look to leave no stones unturned in their 1st Leg encounter as they play their old foes Chennaiyin FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, today at 8 p.m..
The Gaurs have a poor record against the visitors as they lost five encounters out of nine matches played, which includes the heartbreaking final loss at the same venue in the Season 2.
However, this time around the Gaurs are force to reckon with under the guidance of Spanish Coach Sergio Lobera and are considered as one of the most attacking team in the league scoring a mammoth 42 goals.
With Naveen Kumar out suspended following his sending off against Jamshedpur FC in FC Goa’s last league encounter, skipper Laxmikant Kattimani will occupy the space between the sticks. Sergio Lobera is likely to stick with a central defensive partnership of Sergio Juste and Chinglensana Singh who kept a clean sheet in the previous match.
Seriton Fernandes has been one of the standout players in this team and he will start at right back along with Narayan Das on the left. With Brandon Fernandes returning to full fitness, it will be interesting to see if the coach goes with the Goan winger or he continues to employ Pronay Halder in midfield alongside Ahmed Jahouh. Edu Bedia is also an option to start in midfield or an advanced midfield position. Mandar Rao Dessai, Manuel Lanzarote and Ferran Corominas will be sure starters.
The battle between Mailson and Coro will be one to watch out for. The burly Brazilian is a good central defender who reads the game well and is capable of tackling. The Spaniard on the other hand, is a wily customer and it is his tenacity which has seen him score 18 goals in the tournament so far. He will be looking to further increase that tally. Lanzarote on the other hand will be involved in a battle against Jerry Lalrinzuala. Juste and Sana will have to watch out for Jeje whose turn of speed can cause any defence trouble.
However, Sergio Lobera stresses on the fact that the rest of the team has to do their job in order to help these forward players continue in the same vein of form.
“Our style of play won’t change. The team needs to continue with the same mentality. Coro and Lanzarote play in positions that we need them to score in. I don’t expect my defenders to score be a lot of goals. The players who end up scoring goals usually play in more forward positions and that’s exactly what these two players have done. That being said, the rest of the team has to continue to play their part which is vital in helping these guys keep their scoring form,” he explained. He also stressed on the fact that the Indian contingent in the squad has done well this tournament to ensure that team made it to the playoff stage.
Coach John Gregory noted that his team’s run to second spot on the league table was no accident and that his team has worked hard to get there. “We have been good this season. We have stepped up and won important matches and we have been particularly good on the road. We have to start from scratch now though. It’s purely a 2 legged semi and one off final and I am ready for it,” he said. Gregory also touched on the fact that his team aren’t the most prolific scorers but they have been efficient. “Goa have been a fantastic team going forward. We on the other hand aren’t the most prolific going forward. But Jeje has come up with the goods when we have needed him to. We have been a good collective unit and will continue to be so for the remaining matches,” he added.
