PANJIM: It will be a battle of attack versus defense when FC Goa host third-placed Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday evening in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter.
Zico’s Goa have been the most attacking side in the tournament, as their statistic of 88 shots on target – highest in the league – speaks for itself. Meanwhile, the Kerala side that is coached by player-manager David James hold the record for the least goals conceded in the league, with them leaking in only seven times.
Kerala enter this game on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, and will want to emerge triumphant in the third game on the trot to reduce the gap between themselves and the league leaders Chennaiyin FC. Kerala’s last game was an eventful match in itself as they won 2-1 against Atletico de Kolkata, thanks to the goals from Iain Hume and Pedro Gusmao before Luis Garcia’s equaliser was denied by a controversial decision.
Similarly, Goa went undefeated four games in a row with their 2-0 win against a hapless FC Pune City, a game in which Romeo Fernandes and Miroslav Slepicka found the back of the net.
Brazilian legend Zico credited the team for their effort but cautioned that they can’t afford to get ahead of themselves. “We have to take it one game at a time. We have another match on November 26 against Kerala Blasters FC and we want to go out and win it,” he said.
Striker Slepicka made a super-sub appearance when he scored the second goal of the game in the stoppage time having replaced Tolgay Ozbey after the hour mark, and the Czech will hope to lead the Goan line against Kerala from the start.
Also, the makeshift centre-back pairing of Bruno Pinheiro and Gregory Arnolin, due to an injury to Youness Bengelloun, did the job as they gave no chance to the opposition to breach their defense, which ultimately helped them keep a clean sheet. However, if the Frenchman gets fit, he will be expected to start alongside Arnolin at the heart of the defense.
David James, on the other hand, is thriving in the league because of the solid defense at his disposal. Defender Cedric Hengbart has plied his trade in France mostly as a right-back, but his partnership with either Gurwinder Singh or Irishman Colin Falvey is reaping dividends for the south Indian side as they have managed to keep four clean sheets.
Iain Hume has been the shining light in the bleak Kerala attack as the Canadian scored his third goal of the campaign. “We’re just looking at the next game; we’re going good at the moment, and we’re getting points on the board when it matters. We’re looking at Goa next, if we can get a good result there, then we’ve got three home games to finish the season,” the former Leicester City player said.
Midfielder Stephen Pearson, who has shielded the defense well, and defender Hengbart are among the top five in the total minutes played in the league which makes it obvious as to why Kerala have one of the best defensive records in the league.
Kerala also have one of the better away records in the league, but it will be foolish to undermine this Goa side who have sprung to life of late under the watchful eyes of Zico.
When these two teams last met at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in Kerala, the Kochi based team edged past a resolute Goa side 1-0, which was Goa’s fourth and last defeat in the league. Since then, they have gone undefeated.
The recent results show that this Goa team has improved by leaps and bounds, which is why a captivating fixture against Kerala awaits the football fans in the country.
