Rajesh D’Silva
rajesh@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The reverberating beat of the drums and the long and sharp toot of the horns will sound all evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday. Thousands of FC Goa fans will be screaming themselves hoarse as The Gaurs charge on the field in their quest for the Indian Super League title.
After a league of 60 matches, 181 goals and 3463 tackles, FC Goa will take on Chennaiyin FC in an encounter that promises to be a cracker.
FC Goa are the league’s top scorers with 32 goals and lock horns with the Super Machans who boast the league’s meanest defence, conceding just 17 goals in 16 matches.
The attacking philosophy of both these sides makes for an engaging final with big-match players on either side capable of having a major say in the eventual outcome of the game.
FC Goa may have the advantage of playing in front of their home fans, arguably the twelfth player for the team, however, they will be aware of having lost their previous encounter to Chennai at the Fatorda stadium which saw their home team’s first loss of the second season.
FC Goa were drubbed 0–4 by the Marco Materazzi-mentored Chennaiyin FC. With the season’s first hat-trick brought in by ace striker Stiven Mendoza, Chennai managed to win their first game of the season, with Elano getting his name on the score sheet.
Chennaiyin FC did not have the best of starts but the team’s co-owner Abhishek Bachchan was always present on the stand to boost his team and fans at the stands.
The team from southern India, guided by 2006 FIFA World Cup winner, Italian Marco Materazzi, reached the semi-final last season and possess enough quality in the squad to go one better this time.
Materazzi, with co-owners Abhishek Bachchan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Vita Dani, will surely pep up the Chennaiyin fans and the team to perform on the day of reckoning.
It remains to be seen if the presence of an actor in the stands makes a difference for Chennaiyin FC or will FC Goa’s 12thman yet again propel The Gaurs to a historic victory on home soil.
Lucio vs John Stiven Mendoza
The Colombian Mendoza has been on fire in the closing stages of the tournament and will definitely be a thorn in the side of Lucio and co. Having already netted a hat-trick against Goa at Fatorda earlier in the season, Mendoza will be looking to continue that scoring streak. Lucio, a World Cup winner with Brazil will look to shut out the supply to the Colombian with smart positioning and interception to give his team the advantage.
Joffre vs Mailson Alves
The influential Spanish midfielder Jofre has been one of the best players for Zico this season. His creativity with the ball at his feet and movement off the ball has unlocked many a tight defence. The former Barcelona player will want to continue that form in the summit clash. Up against him will be powerhouse centre half, Mailson Alves who has been a rock at the back for the South Indian team. His strength will be vital in dispossessing the Spaniard.
Moura vs Raphael Augusto
Moura, a versatile player, has shown versatility when Zico pushed him up to play an attacking role in midfield. Moura emerged as the highest assist maker in the league. His creativity and vision is fundamental to Goa’s chances. In his way will be another powerful Brazilian in Augusto who has made the defensive midfield position his own. His ability to stop attacks and initiate attacks for his team will be very important if Chennai have to obtain a favourable result.
