Their campaign back on track after a win against NorthEast United FC, a confident FC Goa will now face Kerala Blasters at home in their fifth round match of the Indian Super League in Margao on Thursday.
FC Goa started this season well with a win against Delhi Dynamos and a draw against Atletico de Kolkata, but suffered their first defeat in front of the home fans when they were outplayed by Chennayin FC 4-0.
But they made amends in the away match putting up commendable display to beat NorthEast United FC 3—1 and take their tally to seven points from four matches to move to fourth place.
Zico’s boys will now look to display the same form in front of the home crowd at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda tomorrow against Kerala Blasters, whose morale is bit down after two consecutive defeats.
Just like FC Goa, Kerala Blasters too started off well collecting four points from their first two matches but two successive defeats have put the pressure on the visitors.
Not everything is hunky-dory in FC Goa as they are grappling with a series of injuries. Marquee player Lucio has not recovered from his musle injury and will not play tomorrow.
Playmaker Joffre Mateu Gonzalez and C.S. Sabeeth are the latest casualty and will also be missing in action tomorrow.
But the good news is that defender Narayan Das is back in the side after doing duty for the National team and will play tomorrow on the left.
FC Goa coach Zico is happy with the way his team has performed so far especially in the away match against Northeast United FC.
“We have created so many scoring opportunities and have missed close chances and I have repeatedly told my boys after the matches not to miss chances as it will prove us costly as it happened against Chennayian FC,” said Zico.
“We have injury problem but we have 26 players who are fit and give their best no matter who is injured. Kerala Blaster have played well although they have lost their last two matches but we have to be on guard as they will come hard on us to win tomorrow,” he added.
Kerala Blasters assistant coach Trevor Morgan is a bit concern having lost their last two matches.
“We are playing well but have not been consistent and tomorrow we are looking for a positive result which will help us to get back on the track.
“I know FC Goa is playing on their home ground and backed by crowd support they have the upper hand and also physcological advantage over us having beaten NorthEast United FC to whom we have lost. But we are all well prepared and looking for close contest,” said Morgan.
