FC Goa need another inspired show against Mumbai City

November 15, 2016

GOA: FC Goa will have to continue with their stunning performances till the end if they are to entertain any hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of Hero Indian Super League.

FC Goa are placed at the bottom with 10 points from 10 matches and with four matches left to be played may need all points to assure themselves a place among the top four. Goa stunned NorthEast United FC 2-1 in the previous game against all odds with a last minute goal from Romeo Fernandes and will have to be at their best again as they face Mumbai City FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda-Goa, on Wednesday.

FC Goa can take heart from their impressive performance in the previous game, besides their first win in the Hero ISL this season came against Mumbai City FC in Mumbai.

The Goan team has only three points at home in their four matches after losing three matches in a row but with Indian players like Robin Singh and Romeo Fernandes finally scoring, there is renewed hope. The duo scored their first goals of the campaign and set up a goal for another. Incidentally, Romeo’s assist to Robin meant that he now has the most assists by an Indian player in the ISL (7).

Mumbai City FC arrived in Goa after a disappointing 0-1 loss against FC Pune City when Eugeneson Lyngdoh scored a goal in the final minute of play, capitalising on a defensive lapse. The loss stopped Mumbai City’s march to the semi-finals but the visitors have an encouraging away record.

Mumbai City have 11 away points in ISL 2016, the most by any side. In fact, they have won three matches away from home in ISL 2016, two more than what they managed in ISL 2014 and ISL 2015 combined.

“We are still in a good position but the defeat is a reminder for us that it will not be so easy to get into the semi-finals and that we will have to play well and fight very hard to get the points to get us there and I am pretty sure the players know the situation and try harder in the next game,” said Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes.

Mumbai City FC have 15 points from 10 matches and are placed third behind league leaders Delhi Dynamos (17) and Kerala Blasters (15). However, teams like Atletico de Kolkata (13) and FC Pune City (12) can catch-up with them since they have a match in hand.