Date: March 7, 2020
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Goa
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Preview: FC Goa were almost flawless in the league stage. They won the most number of games, scored the most number of goals among all teams and finished at the top of the table with the most number of points too. As they walked into the first leg of their semi-final against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Channai, a similar dominating performance was expected. However, the world turned upside down for them as a cunning Chennaiyin attack caught them by surprise. Their defence didn’t allow Goa to score any goals until the 85th minute either whereas Chennaiyin breached the FC Goa defence as many as four times. So, the Gaurs now come into the second leg at home trailing by three goals. That’s a substantial lead for Chennaiyin and all they need to do is Park the bus here. FC Goa will try hard to get those three goals as soon as possible but if Chennaiyin’s defensive performance in the last match was anything to go by, it is going to be pretty hard for the Gaurs.
Key Players
FC Goa: Ferran Corominas and Hugo Boumous will be the key to Goa’s comeback in this match. Corominas netted 14 goals during the league stage but couldn’t score any in the first leg. He will be determined to prove himself in this match. Boumous, on the other hand, didn’t play in the first leg but he was their major contributor during the league stage having netted 11 goals along with assisting 10 times.
Chennaiyin FC: Nerijus Valskis and Rafael Crivellaro will be the players to watch out in this encounter once again. Although they didn’t score in the first leg, both of them set up one goal each for their side. Valskis and Crivellaro took their Assists tally of the season to six and seven respectively in the last match and they already have 13 and 7 goals to their names respectively.
Probable Starting XIs
FC Goa
Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Pena, Saviour Gama, Ahmed Jahouh, Lenny Rodrigues, Jackichand Singh, Hugo Boumous, Len Doungel, Ferran Corominas
Chennaiyin FC
Vishal Kaith (GK), Jerry Lalrinzuala, Lucian Goian, Eli Sabia, Laldinliana Renthlei, Edwin Vanspaul, Anirudh Thapa, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rafael Crivellaro, Dragos Firtulescu, Nerijus Valskis
Written by: Prasenjit Dey
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