MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
ALLAN D’CRUZ
Mumbai City FC were the first to seal their place in the Indian Super League playoffs. ATK MB followed and on Friday it was NorthEast United, who joined the two and would be playing their second semi-finals in the last seven seasons.
But all this doesn’t matter to Goa. Having played 19 games, the Gaurs have to wait for the 20th match result to progress to knockouts.
FC Goa are currently in fourth position and despite having the longest unbeaten run, the Gaurs will still battle on the final day. If not a win, they would at least need a draw to feature in their fourth consecutive playoffs in the ISL and their sixth overall.
When Juan Ferrando first arrived, little did anyone know how good the coach was or what's best the Spaniard could offer to the club —which had seen some of the finest football in the past.
It didn’t take long before he made the mark with his debut with an opening day win to gain the trust of the fans. Ferrando managed to continue with FC Goa’s attacking football philosophy but then his run was struck with some inconsistent performances including two successive defeats against ATK Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin FC.
The doubts started building up and there were questions being raised over his capabilities. But Ferrando took each game at a time and kept the focus on football. Goa’s possession-based football started getting results. What none noticed was there were more passes in the games and the team was getting the goals too. This season, Goa has scored 31 goals just two short of their new rivals Mumbai City FC, who have scored 33.
This season, Goa is still the most feared team in the competition and their dominance with possession play has set them above the rest. Unbeaten in the last 12 games, the club is on course of creating history of going without defeat in maximum games in the league. But it’s not about records at moment. Even a draw is sufficient for the Gaurs to progress. For Ferrando, this is like any other game where the mentality of the team is always to get the three points! That says it all, the Spaniard made the statement during the pre-match conference and we can surely expect Gaurs not to sit back and play for a draw, rather “we will witness the usual Goa, scoring goals.”
But is it really that easy as it sounds? Surely no. The Gaurs might have beaten Hyderabad FC but they are yet to lose a game in 2021 as none noticed even the Nizams are unbeaten in their last 11 games.
The Nizams have been a surprise package this season and if everything goes according to Manuel Marquez’s plans, he will lead his side to their first playoffs.
Both FC Goa and Hyderabad have a strong attack with both sides getting to live in the second halves. It’s during this time, the Nizams have scored 21 out of 27 goals, the second-highest in the league. Meanwhile, Goa has scored 17. However, Nizams will miss the services of their leading scorer Aridane Santana who has scored 10 goals in 18 matches. His absence will surely affect the Nizams and this meant, Chianese, Sandaza and Liston will have to step up to fill that gap for Hyderabad. Hyderabad will also miss Chinglensana Singh, who is serving his suspension.
But Hyderabad are on the back foot as they need nothing less than three points while FC Goa just need a draw to progress into the playoffs. The clash will see a crushing encounter and probably be harsh on the team which wouldn't make it to the playoffs. Both the teams have just lost thrice in the league ahead of the decider.
