Mumbai vs Goa, Indian Football League 2020-21, Match Preview
Two tournament favourites, Mumbai and Goa, lock horns in the first clash of this week in Indian Football League 2020-21.
Match Timings: Feb 08, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Last season’s shield winner and this season’s league-leaders are battling out in the crucial Monday encounter of the Indian Football League. Lobero’s Mumbai have almost assured their top spot with a dominant run. They are three points ahead of the Mariners, and the current form put them ahead in the race of AFC Champions League qualification. Mumbai defeated Kerala 2-1 to move on from the second defeat to the Northeast. They lost twice in the tournament, and on both occasions, Highlanders edged past them. They have sealed the playoffs, and Sergio Lobero is more focused on the top spot. The margin of three points can be changed if they drop points and the Mariners continue its winning run. They will also face Habas’ side later in the month, and the result can play an important role in deciding the shield winner of 2020-21.
Islanders have won 10 games and suffered just two defeats with a win rate of 66.66%. It’s no doubt the finest season for Mumbai. They have scored the highest 22 goals and kept the defense tight by conceding just eight goals. In the last outing, Mumbai were one goal down when Vicente Gomez netted a goal for Kerala in the 27th minute. Bipin Singh found the equaliser for the Islanders in the early second half through Cy Goddard's assist. In the 67th minute, Adam le Fondre scored a winner to seal three points. Kerala fought hard for the equaliser, but Mumbai’s defense was tight. Amrinder Singh has been consistent in his role and kept eight clean sheets and made 43 saves.
Meanwhile, Goa are coming off a hard-fought draw against the Northeast. Alexander Jesuraj opened the scoring for Goa. Alberto Noguera found Jesuraj in the box, and the Southpaw sent into the net from point-blank range. Player of the month awardee Federico Gallego scored an equaliser before the first half-break. Amarjit Singh Kiyam regained the lead with a header in the 80th minute. Highlanders bounced back with another equaliser from Gallego. Dheeraj Singh tried to deny him the brace, but he generated enough power to the shot and cleared the net.
Goa lost just three games this season and 11 points behind to league-leaders. Juan Fernando’s men have played defensive football, and in the last four matches, they shared the spoils with its opponents. Gaurs are one point adrift of Northeast and Hyderabad. The top four race is high now, and Goa has to fight out with these two teams to crack the playoffs. They need one point to take back the third spot because they have the better goal difference. Both sides met 15 times in Indian Football League, and Mumbai emerged victorious on five occasions, and Goa have won seven. The picture is different for this season, and Mumbai had the last laugh in the first-leg game of this season.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Mumbai
Amrinder Singh; Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Hernan Sanatan, Mourtada Fall, Amey Ranawade, Rowllin Borges, Ahmed Jahouh, Raynier Fernandes, Bipin Singh, Hugo Boumous, Bartholomew Ogbeche
Current Form: W L D W D
Previous Match: 2-1 victory over Kerala
Goa
Dheeraj Singh; Ivan Gonzalez, Adil Khan, Seriton Fernandes, Saviour Gama, Alberto Noguera, Edu Bedia, Glan Martins, Alexander Jesuraj, Jorge Ortiz Mendoza, Igor Angulo
Current Form: D D D D W
Previous Match: 2-2 draw with Northeast
Key Players
Mumbai
Adam le Fondre
8 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Bartholomew Ogbeche
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Goa
Igor Angulo
10 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Jorge Otiz
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
