Goa will battle out against Chennai in Saturday’s Indian Football League 2020-21 clash. Goa are coming off a 3-3 draw with Mumbai, while Chennai suffered a 1-0 defeat to Jamshedpur.
Match Timings: Feb 13, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Goa are the most potential contender for the playoffs. Gaurs have managed to carry the momentum in their favour after a consistent display in the middle of the tournament. Goa pulled off a comeback in injury-time to hold Mumbai for a 3-3 draw in the last outing. It was one of the best thrillers of the season. Hugo Boumous looked solid, and he beat Adil Khan to come close to strike, but Dheeraj Singh denied him a goal. The Frenchman finally broke the deadlock, and Mumbai took the lead in the 20th minute. Le Fondre struck his 9th goal to double the lead for Islanders. Amrinder Singh denied a strike to Igor Angulo.
Glan Martins' stunning goal from 30 yards finally opened the scoring for Goa just before the half-break. Goa didn’t wait for the equaliser, and Igor Angulo scored a goal in the 51st minute through a cross from Noguera. Borges netted the third goal in the last minute of the game when Boumous delivered a superb free-kick to the far post. Ishan Pandita rescued Goa in the injury time to secure a point. With four games in hand, the hosts are in the best position, but they have to continue its unbeaten streak. Northeast and Hyderabad are the two other clubs that can trouble Goa in the playoffs race.
Meanwhile, Chennai are entering into this fixture with a 1-0 defeat to Jamshedpur. Lallianzuala Chhangte was in good touch in teh early minutes, but his shot was blocked by TP Rehenesh. Chennai almost conceded a goal when through Len Doungel cross, Vishal Kaith spilled the ball, but the referee flagged off for the off-side. Rahim Ali got a chance to strike, but Eze denied it. Both sides couldn’t convert their opportunities, and Chennai were heading towards another goalless draw. Jamshedpur got a winner when David Grande’s shot was deflected by center-back Enes Sipovic, and it went into the net to script a dramatic victory. Marina Machans have 17 points from 17 matches, and with three points in hand, Chennai would eye a better finish because the playoff would be tricky.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Chennai
Vishal Kaith, Reagan Singh, Eli Sabia, Enes Sipovic, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Memo, Germanpreet Singh, Rahim Ali, Manuel Lanzarote, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Isma
Current Form: L D L D L
Previous Match: 1-0 loss to Jamshedpur
Goa
Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Seriton Fernandes, James Donachie, Adil Khan, Saviour Gama, Edu Bedia, Alberto Noguera, Glan Martins, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Jorge Ortiz, Igor Angulo
Current Form: D D D D D
Previous Match: 3-3 draw with Mumbai
Key Players
Chennai
Rahim Ali
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Anirudh Thapa
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Goa
Igor Angulo
11 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Jorge Mandoza
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
