PANJIM: FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will play their respective last matches before the upcoming international break in the Indian Super Leaguea when they lock horns at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday, at 7.30 pm.
The Blues come into this game on the back of a two-match-long winning streak. They have tasted victories against Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters FC in their previous two clashes, taking them to 21 points, i.e. on level terms with the sixth-placed Jamshedpur FC.
However,athe eighth-placed Bengaluru FC has played a game fewer (18) than the Red Miners (19), and hence points from this game will take them straight into the top-six, fending off competition from Jamshedpur FC and Punjab FC (21). The Gaurs, contrastingly, have 33 points from 18 encounters and are positioned at the fourth spot in the standings. They can get to 36 points with a win, which will equal the tally of the second-placed Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
FC Goa still can sustaain pressure at the top and try to challenge for the League Winners Shield, especially after finding some stability in remaining unbeaten in their previous three games.
The Gaurs haven’t fared well against Bengaluru FC. The Blues have beaten them seven times in the ISL. FC Goa looked in imperious touch against Punjab FC amidst their 3-3 draw on Monday, though.
With Carl McHugh, Noah Sadaoui, and Carlos Martinez netting once each, the team recorded their 54th instance of scoring thrice or more in an ISL match, which is the highest by any team in the history of the competition.
In contrast, Bengaluru FC has done that only 25 times in the ISL. Even their last two wins have come through slender margins, i.e. 2-1 against Hyderabad FC and 1-0 against Kerala Blasters FC.
The Gaurs have been lethal from corners, with McHugh notching the opener through that against Punjab FC. They have scored four goals from corners in ISL 2023-24, which is only behind Odisha FC (6) in the current campaign.
“Usually, wahen you create a lot of chances, you leave spaces in defence. It was one of our main points (strengths) in the first leg of the season, but now we are conceding goals. With the three shots that Punjab FC had on target, it was impossible for any goalkeeper to stop them,” FC Goa Head Coach Manolo Marquez reflected ahead of the clash against Bengaluru FC.
