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Table toppers FC Goa take on FC Pune City in what is termed as a close encounter in the Hero Indian Super League at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune here on Sunday. It was been a happy playing arena for the hosts Pune City here, as David Platt and his boys have won four of their five encounters. And this should help them set aside their last outing against Kerala Blasters where they were blasted 2-0, and get back to the top position in the table.
The results here should give the English coach a feel good factor, but it all depends on the outcome of the 90-odd minutes out there, as this Super League has witnessed in the past. FC Goa coach Zico has proved that injuries to regulars in the side is no worry, as his replacement for the six players sidelined due to injury proved otherwise.
The last meeting of these two teams at Fatorda in Goa, the teams signed a peace treaty with a 1-1 draw. It was Zico’s boys who dominated but poor finishing saw them share goals and points equally.
Kickoff Time and Telecast
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2, 3 and StarSports HD2, HD3
Live Stream: StarSports.com
Date and Time: Sunday, 8 November 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune
Team news
MacPherlin Omagbemi Dudu, the new signing of FC Goa as a replacement to injured Darryl Duffy, should give them some relief. But it all depends on coach Zico who must be of the opinion that the Nigerian footballer Dudu is yet to get the feel of the players. Joaquim Abranches, Thongkhosiem Haokip and playmaker Leo Moura with Mandar Rao Dessai and Romeo Fernandes making it for the defence wall for the Goan side.
Zico must be looking to hold onto the tag as the table toppers. And Zico rightly said on the eve of the match, “Our first target is to win the game and keep the first position.”
Likely XI: Laxmikant Kattimani, Luciano, Lucio, Gregory Arnolin, Narayan Das, Bikramjit Singh, Pronoy Halder, Jonathan Lucca, Leo Moura, Mandar Rao Desai, Hoakip
FC Pune City will return to their own back yard, a stadium where the Platt coached side have won four out of the five games they have played. It saw them spend some time on top of the table, but they have slipped to third after a fortunate draw against FC Goa and a heavy defeat against Kerala Blasters.
They were outplayed in their previous two assignments and have looked shaky in the defence since their 0-2 defeat to Chennaiyin. But this is a new game and Platt will look for his players to deliver and give some reason for their fans to cheer in this Super Sunday encounter.
Likely XI: Steve Simonsen, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Gourmangi Singh, Roger Johnson, Nickey Shorey, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Tuncay Sanli, Didier Zokora, Kalu Uche, Manish Maithani, Jakichand Singh.
Key Battles
Leo Moura vs Roger Johnson
Roger Johnson has been solid in the Pune defence and his last outing against Kerala should give coach Platt some hope. But for Roger, the end score sheet would have been haunting Platt and company against Kerala. A regular in the encounters so far Roger has been a defender to beat for the rivals.
He has not been flamboyant in his play but has gone about his job of destroying opposition moves with ease. His leadership quality has added another dimension to the FC Pune City game. The veteran Brazilian Leo Moura has been outstanding in the midfield and the main playmaker for the side and will have a tough task against the Englishman.
Gregory Arnolin vs Tuncay Sanli
Tuncay Sanli has been the darling for the Pune fans and his ability to find the back of the net has made him as one of the best in this edition. His ability to outpace the rival defence has kept them on high alert, and this could be the reason for him to keep their marquee player Adrian Mutu on the bench. Gregory Arnolin should be the man he must get the better off.
Prediction
FC Pune City 1-1 FC Goa
