Road to semi-finals: Goa look to finally make it count on the grand stage
For a record fourth time, FC Goa have qualified for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL).
For a record fourth time, FC Goa have qualified for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). After failing to go all the way on the three previous occasions, Goa are widely tipped by pundits and Indian football fans alike to finally take home the crown this year. Looking at their stats and performances so far, that dream might very well become a reality come March 17. However, before a shot at the title, the Gaurs will have to deal with a tricky semi-finals engagement against Mumbai City FC. With the mouth-watering encounter a few days away, here’s a look back at Goa’s journey so far.
Form over the season:
For Sergio Lobera’s men, the season didn't quite start on a high as they were held to an engaging 2-2 draw by Northeast United FC in Guwahati. However, there were positive takeaways from their opening fixture of the campaign too. Hero ISL 2017-18 Golden Boot winner Ferran Corominas picked up right from where he left off and bagged a brace to kickstart his season. The Gaurs would, however, register their first victory in their very next outing at the home of the then defending champions Chennaiyin FC. After that, the goals came in thick and fast with Goa putting five past Mumbai City, followed by a 4-2 victory over FC Pune City. However, their bandwagon hit a stumbling block at the JRD Tata Sports Complex as they were humbled against an inspired Jamshedpur outfit spurred by a brilliant performance by Michael Soosairaj.
Defeats to Bengaluru FC and FC Pune City over the next month saw a cloud of doubt descend upon their top four credentials. Nevertheless, a commanding 5-1 victory over the Highlanders towards the end of the first half of the campaign put them back on track.
Despite their unparalleled attacking prowess, one of the faults traditionally associated with Lobera’s side has been their inability to hold the fort at the back. But the turn of the year proved a crucial coming of age for the Goa defence. The Gaurs registered clean sheets in six of the seven remaining matches in the league – a welcome sight for the fans. With the likes of Corominas and Edu Bedia continuing to strut their stuff, Goa confirmed their spot in the final four with a resounding 3-0 victory over Kerala Blasters in February. Their only loss in the second half of the campaign came against Bengaluru FC when they surprisingly went down 3-0 against a 10-man Blues side. The loss denied them a first-place finish.
Despite coming in behind Bengaluru at the end of the season, it needs to be mentioned that the Gaurs finished with the same number of points as the Blues and lost out only due to their head to head record. Furthermore, the Gaurs scored the most number of goals in the league phase (36) while also boasting the joint best defensive record along with NorthEast in terms of clean sheets (8).
Key players:
Leading the goal-scoring chart with 15 goals, Corominas has once again established himself as the league’s top marksman. His clever runs and explosive finishing have proven a nightmare for opposition defences, especially with the likes of Hugo Boumous and Edu Bedia backing him up. The Spaniard also broke Iain Hume’s record for the most number of goals in the league’s history. His tally, which now stands at 33, will take a long time to be overtaken.
Arguably the best player in the league so far, Ahmed Jahouh has been a pivotal force for Goa throughout the campaign. His ability to dictate play from the centre of the park has been one of the primary reasons for Goa’s incredible goal-scoring form. One needs to only look at his stats to realise his influence on the team. The Moroccan leads the league’s standings among the most number of attempted passes and tackles with 1300 and 102 respectively. Additionally, he has also pitched in with three assists this season.
As mentioned before, one of the highlights of Goa’s season has been their improved defence. A large part of the development has been down to the commanding displays of Mourtada Fall. Brought on in the summer, the Senegalese international has registered an impressive 142 clearances and 39 tackles. His services will definitely come in handy for the Gaurs during the semi-finals.
Semi-finals fixtures:
Mumbai City FC vs FC Goa
Date: March 9, 2019
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC
Date: March 12, 2019
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa
Check the full fixtures list here.
