Tag: FC Goa

by Abhishek Shukla

Table toppers tussle with a Spanish flavour as Odisha FC hosts unbeaten FC Goa

Bhubaneshwar, February 08: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 prepares for a potentially gripping encounter between Odisha FC and FC Goa at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on February 9, Friday, 7:30 p.m. This match is set to have ripple effects at the top of the points table, with the Juggernauts placed first currently with 30 points from 14 matches. However, the Gaurs are unbeaten at present too, and they have 27 points in 11 encounters to their name.

This will be the last time that these two sides square off in the league stages this season, and hence it is the only opportunity for Sergio Lobera & Co. to build a gap with the opponents in a direct faceoff. This fixture had produced a thriller at the Fatorda Stadium earlier in this campaign, with a late stunning winner by Jay Gupta helping Manolo Marquez’s team to take three points from the game.

Both these sides were meddling with similar fates in the last couple of campaigns in the ISL. They were struggling to break out from the crowded space in the middle of the table, and it required them to make special appointments at the coaching level to spark a comeback. Lobera and Marquez didn’t take too long to make an impact, getting their desired signings and accordingly ensuring that they delivered the required results.

It promises to be a clash between the offensive firepower of the Juggernauts against the defensive resilience of FC Goa. Odisha FC have found the back of the net the most times (27) amongst all teams in ISL 2023-24, whereas the Gaurs have given away the least amount of goals (5). A fine balance of these aspects of the gameplay for the two sides will go a long way in determining their fates in this particular encounter.

What’s at stake?

Odisha FC

After starting the competition on a slightly sluggish note, Odisha FC has not put a foot wrong in the previous 10 games. They are on an unbeaten streak since October and have struck the right cord in all departments. The defence is marshalled by the ever so reliable Amrinder Singh and Mourtada Fall whereas Ahmed Jahouh’s creative acumen in the middle has been critical in inspiring their offensive endeavours.

Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio are playing the perfect foil to each other, setting up goals and bagging them aplenty, much to the delight of the supporters. Lately, they have been making light work of whichever opponent has come their way.

The experienced strikers in their ranks have helped them record a 51.7% shooting accuracy, which is the highest for any team in the league. They have also converted most shots amongst all sides, ensuring that 17.7% of their attempts have resulted in a goal. From the back to front, they have been ticking all boxes consistently and need to ensure another similarly smooth outing against Marquez’s men.

FC Goa

FC Goa wiped off any concerns about injuries to key players hampering their progress from the first leg of the season when they got past Hyderabad FC by 2-0 last week.

Carlos Martinez had not been in the best run of forms earlier, but he showed remarkable efficiency to get on the scoresheet twice, and the head coach will be banking on him to continue the heroics against the Juggernauts. The Gaurs are built solidly at the back.

They have faced just 1.6 shots on target per game this season (lowest amongst all teams), and are efficient in terms of converting the opportunities that their creative midfielders produce. In terms of their playing style, the Gaurs are highly insistent and rather vigorous to recover and then retain possession, winning the ball within 40 meters of the opposition’s goal on an average 8.8 times per game in this campaign.

In all fairness, this encounter promises to be a clash of the equals, with both sides largely subscribing to similar playing philosophies and having seen resounding success with new tacticians at the helm in this campaign.

Key Players

Lenny Rodrigues (Odisha FC)

Lenny Rodrigues has been an important member of the Odisha FC unit this season, helping them keep control and even dominate the oppositions from the centre of the park. He dons the role of a screening midfielder, who protects the backline with his tenacious efforts by shielding them from the attacking midfielders of the other team. In addition to his defensive skillsets, Rodrigues is a neat passer of the ball, completing 90% of his passes in ISL 2023-24.

He makes 35 of them on an average per 90 minutes, and has also earned seven fouls in addition to recording 14 interceptions. He might slip under the radar for not having made any goal contribution thus far, but Rodrigues is as vital a player in Lobera’s winning machine as anyone else.

Carlos Martinez (FC Goa)

The Spaniard striker is gradually getting into the groove, showing some sharp movement near and inside the 18-yard-box to receive and convert the chances that were created for him. He is a smoother operator in the final third, always on the move, interlinking with fellow teammates, and unlocking the opposition with his nimble feet and eye for a pass. With five goals and an assist in 11 games, Martinez has proven his mettle in this FC Goa unit.

He has also won 26 aerial duels, created 15 goal-scoring opportunities, in addition to ensuring that 57.89% of his attempted shots land on target. He might have been overshadowed by the brilliant duo of Noah Sadaoui and Victor Rodriguez earlier this season, but Martinez has it in him to shelve aside his doubters and come out on top of his game for the benefit of FC Goa in this fixture and also the coming ones.

Head-to-Head

Played – 21

FC Goa – 13

Odisha FC – 3

Draws – 5

Trivia: Odisha FC have recorded the highest passing accuracy (81.6%) amongst all teams in ISL 2023-24.

Team Talk

image (1).png“This is our target in this our game. We have played a different number of games, but we are in a very good position. I think even FC Goa are feeling pressure, in terms if we win the game and get three points, then the gap between the two teams becomes six points and the opponent teams need to win and this is the target. We are going to maybe the best team at this moment in this competition, because they are very competitive, working very well, in defence, and attack, playing tactical and effective football, and it’s not easy to play against them,” Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera said in the pre-match press conference.

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“I think we are facing the team that is in a very good moment. Their last defeat was two consecutive ones a long time ago. They are unbeaten in a lot of games in all the competitions. They have a very good team and coach. They have a very good strength and conditioning coach too. I think that they are in a very good moment and it will be a tough game for us, but it will be a tough game for them too,” FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez said prior to the game.

ISL Fantasy

Jay Gupta (3.6cr)

Assisted one of Martinez’s goal against Hyderabad FC

Arshdeep Singh (3.7cr)

Has helped FC Goa keep seven clean sheets in this ISL season

Amey Ranawade (4.4cr)

Impressive presence on both ends of the pitch

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

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ISL Match 4 Preview: NorthEast United vs FC Goa

GUWAHATI: NorthEast United FC have little time to savour their victory in the opening match of the Hero Indian Super League (HISL) as they now prepare to face FC Goa at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, on Tuesday.

NorthEast United scored a solitary goal victory over Kerala Blasters in the opening encounter with Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa scoring the all-important goal. The start was encouraging for new head coach Nelo Vingada but the Portuguese coach knows there is plenty of scope for improvement.

“I am happy, we made a few good syncs better than I expected. But I know we have to play better to reach the semis which is my target and of my players, so we have to be more consistent. If we don’t grow up and play better, it won’t be enough,” said the Portuguese coach.

NorthEast United’s next opponents will be FC Goa, coached by Brazilian legend Zico, and although the match comes 36 hours after the opener, it is unlikely that ‘The Professor’ will change the winning combination.

“For me this was the best eleven which I could use for the game because some players are injured and most of the players are not fully fit for 90 minutes as they are only 70% fit. But I am satisfied with the foreign players and I am also very happy with the Indian boys,” said Vingada.

Nobody really knows what to expect from FC Goa as they launch their campaign away from home. FC Goa had their pre-season in Brazil and played four friendlies with chief coach Zico using different players and trying out different formations. FC Goa did not play any friendlies at home leaving everyone wondering about the starting eleven.

FC Goa, however, will not be able to use the services of several players who are nursing injuries. Defenders Gregory Arnolin, Denzil Franco, goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury and striker Robin Singh have all picked up injuries during pre-season and will not be available for the opener.

All eyes, however, will be on the new signings from Brazil. Players like Trindade Goncalves, Rafael Dumas, Julio Cesar and Richarlyson, a former Brazilian international, will be seen in action for the first time, although it remains to be seen how many of them can be accommodated in the starting eleven.

FC Goa lost in the final last season against Chennaiyin FC and Zico will be keen to put those memories behind him with victory in the opening match.

by Abhishek Shukla

FC Goa fans expectations from Season 3

Panaji, 31th August 2016: With the FC Goa squad away for pre-season training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, fans in Goa are gearing up for the third edition of the Hero Indian Super League. Vehicles and houses have already been decorated in preparation for the mega event.

With head coach Zico opting to retain the spine of his team with defensive powerhouses Gregory Arnolin and Lucio, Goan wingers Mandar Rao Dessai and Romeo Fernandes and strikers Rafael Coelho and Reinaldo Oliveira, consistency seems to be the focus. Additionally, with good facilities available at Zico's academy in Brazil, the team will hope to gel better and come back stronger.

Fans across the state seem to be happy with the business done by the club so far. The FC Goa Fan Club comes out in large numbers for every home game and lends their voice to a chorus of chants at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Members of the fan club have hoped that the team can go all the way this year. Omkar H, from the Fan Club hopes that the team can maintain the same consistency even with the change of ownership. He says, "Last year we reached the finals. This year, the owners have changed. I hope that doesn't have an impact on the team. However, this year we also have much better Goan players.

Therefore, expectations from this team are very high. Expect them to make the semi-finals in the least."

Dominic from the Fan Club also expects the team to go all the way this year. He had high praise for striker Rafael Coelho and expects the Brazilian to top the scoring charts if he remains fit. Talking about the team having its pre-season in Brazil, he said, "It will be an added advantage if Zico can arrange for some good quality opposition." However, he spoke about the average age of the squad which he felt is too high. "The fact that the same players have signed again for the club is great. But I feel we should have looked at younger players to bring down the average age of the squad," he added.

Savio Pereira, another ardent fan of the club hopes the team is third time lucky after runs to the semi-finals and then the finals. "By retaining Zico and a number of our old players, the team will surely have a better understanding this year. With the new signings, the team this year looks stronger than it has ever been. I hope we are third time lucky and go on and win the ISL," he said.

Elroy Figueiredo, another FC Goa fan based in Mangalore felt that the chemistry between players would only improve this year. "In a tournament like the ISL, players constantly switch between clubs unlike at European clubs. Therefore, it is refreshing to see that FC Goa has stuck to what clearly worked last season and kept the spine of the team intact," he said.

He also noted that the squad was filled with three Indian goalkeepers which would give Zico the luxury of playing an extra foreigner further up the pitch. "I definitely expect the team to be strong contenders for the title again this year. If players can be kept fit, they will surely make it through to the semi-finals. Let's just hope they go a step further this year," he added.

Fans from all over the state will once more throng Fatorda o get behind their team when the Gaurs take on Pune City FC in their first home match on October 8th.