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The ISL has finally reacheed Goa, where a full house awaits their home team to a grand cheer. FC Goa host the latest entrants Chennaiyin FC on 15 October at 7pm at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Fatorda Stadium), Margao. This is expected to be another cracker of a game as two evenly matched sides lock horns.
In what is also supposedly a MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli battle (both are co-owners of Chennai and Goa respectively), there is every chance of seeing fireworks.
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Venue
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, also known as the Fatorda Stadium is located in Margoa, Goa and is a multi-purpose stadium, which has been host to a number of international cricket and football games. Goa has been on a splurge to bring into existence more state of the art grounds, but as it stands, Jawaharlal Nehru or the Fatorda Stadium is the only international venue in the state having a seating capacity of 24,500.
Possible starting line-ups
FC Goa (4-1-4-1): Seda; Debrata Das, Rowilson Rodrigues, Gregory Arnolin, Clifford Miranda; Peter Carvalho; Gabriel Fernandes, Robert Pires, Edgar Marcelino, Andre Santos; Miguel Herlein
Zico has been a great player and has had a few laurels to boast of in his coaching career. He has been a practitioner of 4-1-4-1 and this is what he is likely to go ahead with his new challenge at FC Goa. Although they do not have a very experienced setup, they do have a fine blend of youth and experience.
Having seen how important goalkeepers have been in the games played so far, FC Goa are set to start with Seda in between the sticks while the experienced Gregory Arnolin is set to marshal the defence alongside Rowilson Rodrigues. The experienced Debrata Roy and Clifford Miranda will take up the full back roles.
Peter Carvalho is expected to shield his defence, while the likes of Robert Pires and crafty Edgar Marcelino are set to direct the traffic from the centre. Flamboyant Gabriel Fernandes and former EPL player Andre Santos are expected to be on either side of the striker, which could be filled by Herlein.
Chennaiyin FC (4-4-1-1): Shilton Paul; Bernanrd Mendy, Michael Silvestere, Gourmangi Singh, Dhanachandra Singh; Harmanjot Khabra, Pierre Tillman, Bojan Djordjic, Cristian Gonzalez; Elano; Balwant Singh
Chennai are instead set to go ahead with a 4-4-1-1 formation with Shilton Paul guarding the sticks behind a solid defensive lineup of Bernard Mendy, Silvestre, Gourmangi and Dhanachandra in what looks like the most solid defensive lineup in the competition. Chennai’s midfield isn’t as strong as their defence, but the likes of versatile Khabra and experienced Djordjic add some steel in addition to the exuberance of Swedish Tillman and former La Liga starlet Gonzalez.
The forward line looks impressive as Elano is expected to take up the trequartista role just behind the in form Balwant Singh to notch up the goals for the Abhishek Bachchan co-owned franchise.
Key Facts and Stats
- The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda had recently undergone a makeover and now boasts of facilities such as HD compliant arena lighting, natural turf, dope control rooms, a mixed zone area, CCTV cameras, swimming pool, multipurpose gymnasium and parking facilities. It is regarded as one of the most well maintained football grounds in the Indian subcontinent.
- The stadium is the home ground for Salgaocar FC, Dempo SC and Sporting Clube de Goa in the I-League.
- FC Goa team comprises of only Dempo SC players as their domestic players.
- Both teams are injury free.
Key Battles
Robert Pires vs Bojan Djordjic: Experts say games are won in midfield, and as we head into the FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC encounter, we would have at our disposal one of the finest midfield battles in the competition as the experienced Pires and Djordjic go head-to-head. Both are expected to dictate terms for their outfits from the middle of the park and whoever comes out on top in this encounter is likely to control the tempo of the game and twist the tie in their favour.
Cristian Gonzalez vs Gabriel Fernandes: With the graft in the team you need some craft as well and this is exactly what these two bring to the table for their respective sides. While Gabriel would be attacking the right flank, Gonzalez will be taking care on the left side of affairs for his side, adding to each others work of tracking back. Both would not only need to add to the attacking third for their sides, but would need effective tracking back to thwart any threat.
Elano vs Arnolin: Chennai’s defence looks strong on paper, but the FC Goa defence needs to stamp authority from the very start as they go up against the likes of Elano and Balwant. Arnolin hence, would be faced up with a huge challenge of trying to control the two and his match-up with Elano can go a long way in deciding the fate of the game.
Prediction
FC Goa 2-1 Chennaiyin FC
