Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: FC Goa will look to reclaim the top spot when they take on Chennaiyin FC in match nine of the Indian Super League season 2 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday, at 7 p.m.
The Goan franchise started with a 2-0 win over Delhi Dynamos FC and then came back resiliently to hold defending champions Atletico de Kolkata to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
Playing their third game in eight days, head coach Zico hasn’t particularly given a thought at rotating his squad. “This is the beginning of the competition and all the players are fit and prepared to play,” he said.
FC Goa has scored thrice in two matches but have also found the upright as many times while Reinaldo da Cruz Oliveira failed to convert all his chances.
Injuries in the squad have ruled out Raju Gaikwad for three weeks and Victor Simoes for until the first phase of the tournament while Pronay Halder and Bikramjit Singh are striving towards full fitness.
On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC are coming into the match after facing back to back defeats against the same two opponents faced by FC Goa.
Chennaiyin striker Fikru Lamessa, who has an on-field history against FC Goa defender Gregory Arnolin, is declared fit for the clash. The only injury known in the away team is that to midfielder Dhanapal Ganesh.
Expect the Marco Materazzi led team to come hard at the home team considering they have a lot to make up for to record their first point on the table while Zico will be motivating his side to continue setting pace in the competition.
