FC Goa and ATK Mohun Bagan are set to battle for supremacy in the top three of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL), on Sunday evening. Jamshedpur face NorthEast United in the earlier fixture of the day.
The Gaurs can go second with a win on Sunday as the Mariners look to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to leaders Mumbai City.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
The Mariners handed FC Goa a 1-0 defeat after a hard-fought match earlier in the season. It was final minute penalty from Roy Krishna. However, it won’t be easy this time with the Gaurs being on a four-game unbeaten run, showing tremendous form of late. Since both the teams are in the top-four, the match is important from a ‘League Shield’ point of view.
FC GOA
Goa are currently in excellent form, having won three of their last four games. In their last match against Jamshedpur FC, they produced arguably their best performance of the season. They won 3-0, thanks to a brace from Jorge Ortiz Mendoza. The latter justified coach Juan Ferrando’s decision to start him as the lone striker ahead of Igor Angulo. Goa have 18 points from 11 games so far. ATK Mohun Bagan are two points ahead, having played a game less than the Gaurs. The Mariners, however, are coming into this match after a loss. In their last game, they lost 1-0 to Mumbai City FC due to a second-half strike from Bartholomew Ogbeche.
ATK MOHUN BAGAN FC
After being edged out by Mumbai City in their top of the table clash, second placed ATKMB will look to pick themselves back up here against Goa, who are coming off the back of a commanding 3-0 victory over Jamshedpur. Having picked up 10 points from the last 12 available to them, Goa cannot be taken lightly here and will fancy their chances of pulling off a surprise result and leapfrogging their opponents in the table. ATK Mohun Bagan though will prove incredibly tough opposition and come into this match focused and determined to prove a point after their recent setback. However, when taking into account Goa’s form, ATKMB may end up frustrated once again in this match and be forced to settle for a point, which would at least keep them second in the Indian Super League table.
Team News
FC Goa
Igor Angulo was benched in the last match that Goa played, but he is expected to come straight back into the starting XI for this game. Otherwise, Ferrando is not expected to make too many changes.
ATK Mohun Bagan
Coach Habas will be happy with the fact that Javi Hernandez is once again an available option to be selected. He is likely to go back to the tried and tested formula in this game, with Carl McHugh and Pronay Halder starting in the midfield.
Squads:
FC Goa
Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Dhas, Antonio D’Silva
Defenders: Sarineo Fernandes, Aiban Dohling, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Leander D’Cunha, Mohamed Ali, Sanson Pereira, Saviour Gama, Seriton Fernandes
Midfielders: Alberto Noguera, Alexander Jesuraj, Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia, Flan Gomes, Jorge Mendoza, Lenny Rodrigues, Nestor Dias, Phrangki Buam, Princeton Rebello, Redeem Tlang, Seiminlen Doungel
Forwards: Aaren D’Silva, Devendra Murgaokar, Igor Angulo, Ishan Pandita, Makan Chothe
ATK Mohun Bagan
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharja, Avilash Paul, Arsh Shaikh,
Defenders: Tiri, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Sumit Rathi, Salam Ranjan Singh
Midfielders: Pronay Halder, Bradden Inman, Javier Hernandez, Edu Garcia, Carl McHugh, Glan Martins, Jayesh Rane, Boris Singh, Regin Michael, Sahil Sheikh, N Engson Singh, Nongdamba Naorem
Forwards: David Williams, Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh, Md. Fardin Ali Molla, Komal Thatal
Juan Ferrando’s men (currently with 18 points) have the opportunity to jump to second spot in the ISL points table which is now occupied by Antonio Habas’ ATK Mohun Bagan (20).