BAMBOLIM: FC Goa will lock horns with Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday for the second leg of their Hero Indian Super League semi-final clash. Having suffered a damaging 4-1 defeat in the first leg in Chennai, the Gaurs will have to dig deep to overturn the result and reach the final on March 14.
At the pre-match press conference, Goa interim coach Clifford Miranda said, “It is a massive game. We have to win and overcome the deficit. But that does not mean that we will go all-out from minute one. It is 90 minutes and more. It will not be decided in the first 10-15 minutes. It will be throughout the period until the final whistle is blown. We will take it minute by minute.”
Miranda also acknowledged the importance of finding the right balance between defence and attack against Chennaiyin. “When you play a football game, you also have to defend and also have to attack. But this particular game is of a different dynamic. A dynamic where we have to be really strong in defence, and at the same time we have to overcome the deficit that can take us to the final. We have to be careful. We have to be strong.”
“Motivation is not a factor because it is natural for us in this moment. We have to be really careful in defence, and at the same time, keep the balance between attack and defence. It is 90 minutes and we will take it right down to the last minute,” he added.
Looking back at the first leg, Miranda noted, “We were disappointed but not devastated.”
He also claimed that the onus will be on Chennaiyin as they will start the game as favourites. “For me, it is Chennaiyin’s match to lose. For us, we will play freely and responsibly. We have a responsibility towards our style, our fans, the ethics that the club. I cannot ask anything more from the players. They have given absolutely everything throughout the season. What I can ask is from the fans. It is one more time that I would like to ask them to come. They must support their team,” he concluded.
