Representing that state of India whose passion for the beautiful game of football is almost unrivalled, FC Goa have managed to create a niche for themselves in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) over the years. Coached by legendary Brazilian icon Zico for the first three editions, their best season came in 2015 when they made it to the final before agonizingly losing the title to Chennaiyin FC.

Having failed to make it to the semi-finals for the first time ever last season, the Gaurs picked themselves up from the ashes this time around to secure a top-four berth under their new Spanish head coach Sergio Lobera. After retaining club captain Laxmikant Kattimani and winger Mandar Rao Dessai, the management signed a number of young talents in the draft and complemented them with experienced Spaniards.

This worked in their favour as the Spanish duo of Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote in attack took Hero ISL 2017-18 by storm, thanks to their prolific show in front of goal. At the end of the league stage, the Gaurs had netted a massive 42 times - a Hero ISL record in itself, with both Corominas and Lanzarote combining to score 30 of them. Though their defence has not been in the news for its efficiency, Goa’s potent attack helped them reach the semi-finals. Here, we have a look at how the season progressed for them over the months.

A commanding start to the campaign

Goa’s season started in a prolific way, where they picked up four victories from their first five encounters, with three of them coming on a trot. In their first match of the season against Chennaiyin FC, which they won 3-2, the Gaurs announced their entry by scoring all three in the first 38 minutes of the match. Except for the 2-1 setback against Mumbai City FC, Goa notched up a massive tally of 18 goals in just five matches, while conceding 10 times.

A stark difference in attacking momentum

Having initially been taken by surprise by Goa’s attacking ability in the first five matches, the other Hero ISL teams did their homework well in an effort to contain the Gaurs’ lethal attack. This resulted in Goa failing to find the back of the net as convincingly as they did in the first five matches as they managed to win just two of their next five fixtures. From 18 goals at the start of the season, their goals had dried up to six strikes, with seven goals being conceded at the other end.

A winless streak

Goa failed to secure a single victory in the next five matches, losing thrice and drawing twice. With the final phase of the league stage on the horizon, the two points earned from a possible 15, took them on the verge of being knocked out. With their lean patch in attack continuing, their defensive vulnerabilities were brought to the fore like never before, as they leaked 10 goals during this period. Having failed to secure a single clean sheet in 15 encounters over the season, Lobera was forced to return to the drawing board to make amends.

Back to scintillating best for a strong finish

With three games remaining and six teams vying for top four status, the Gaurs had no other option than winning all of them to earn a semi-final spot. With pressure on them to deliver, rather than wilting, Goa returned to winning ways in style to pick up a maximum of nine points. They netted 12 times in these three games and even registered two clean sheets to enter the semi-finals in third spot.

Key records achieved in the league phase

Some of the statistics which separate them from the other teams fighting for the title are:

• Finished as the club with the maximum number of goals scored in a single season (42)
• Their goal difference of 14 is only second to Bengaluru FC this season
• Corominas is the first player in league history to score 18 goals in a single season
• Corominas is the only player to bag successive hat-tricks in league history
• Corominas’ 18 and Lanzarote’s 12 goals this season make them the only club in league history to have two different players crossing the 10-goal mark

FC Goa will face second-placed Chennaiyin FC in semi-final 2, the first leg of which will be played on Saturday at Goa and the return leg on Tuesday in Chennai.