TEAM HERALD
FATORDA: Backed by a very supportive home crowd, FC Goa will go all guns blazing into their crucial Hero Indian Super League second leg semi-final clash against Atletico de Kolkata to secure a spot in the final, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
The home ground has been a catalyst in FC Goa’s turnaround in the latter phase of the league wherein they secured four victories out of the total six wins.
Head coach Zico, who voiced his resentment for playing the previous two matches on artificial turf, at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata against the same opponents, will be delighted to play on the lush green natural surface, once again on the home ground after being held to a goalless draw in the first leg.
Herald takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of FC Goa ahead of the encounter.
STRENGTHS
HOME ADVANTAGE
Zico’s boys came up with a brave performance to hold Atletico de Kolkata goalless in the first leg of the semi-final, in Kolkata. Banking on the fans as an energetic factor, home advantage will play the vital role for FC Goa.
PITCH FACTOR
FC Goa train at Tilak Maidan, Vasco and play their home matches at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, both fields are of natural grass. Atletico de Kolkata train and play at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata which is an artificial surface. The away team will certainly find it difficult to adjust to the pitch.
IMPRESSIVE AT HOME
FC Goa have played seven matches at home, winning four, losing two and drawing one. On the other hand, Atletico de Kolkata have managed only two victories in their seven matches played away from home. They lost two and drew three.
SUPERIOR IN ATTACK
FC Goa have remained unbeaten in their last nine matches and have scored 16 goals in the last 10 games while Atletico de Kolkata have netted only seven times in their last 10 matches.
SUPERIOR IN DEFENCE
FC Goa have conceded only four goals in their last 10 matches while Atletico de Kolkata have conceded 10 goals in as many matches.
30 DAYS SINCE LAST WIN
Atletico de Kolkata last won against NorthEast United FC, on November 18, 30 days ago. It will be a psychological booster for FC Goa as their last victory came just 10 days ago when they humbled table toppers Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in their own den.
FIKRU RULED OUT
Atletico de Kolkata will be without their talismanic striker Fikru Teferra due to injury. Although the Ethiopian travelled with the team, coach Antonio Habbas said at the pre-match press conference that Fikru will not be playing on Wednesday.
DISADVANTAGES
YET TO WIN AGAINST ATK
FC Goa have faced Atletico de Kolkata on three occasions so far and are yet to win against them after facing a 2-1 home defeat in the first match. The last match in the league phase between the two giants of Indian football was a 1-1 draw and their first semi-final first leg encounter was also goalless. The Kolkata outfit will have the psychological advantage going into this one.
NARAYAN DAS INJURY
Narayan Das will be a huge miss for the home side as he picked up an injury in Kolkata, which forced an early substitution in the first leg of the semi-final. In his place, Haroon Amiri will again start at the back with formidable pair of Gregory Arnolin and Bruno Pinheiro, who will be available after missing the last game due to suspension.
