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FC Goa will host Atletico de Kolkata in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Indian Super League. The first leg ended 0-0 at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata. The winner will face Kerala Blasters at the D.Y Patil Stadium in Mumbai on December 20. FC Goa look strong favourites to qualify after they dominated the proceedings in the first leg.
Venue
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, also known as the Fatorda Stadium is located in Margao, Goa and is a multi-purpose stadium, which has been host to a number of international cricket and football games. Goa has been on a splurge to bring into existence more state of the art grounds, but as it stands, Jawaharlal Nehru or the Fatorda Stadium is the only international venue in the state having a seating capacity of 24,500.
Kick-Off – 7:00 pm (Wednesday)
Probable Line-Ups and Team News
FC Goa (4-1-4-1): Jan Seda, Debabrata Das, Gregory Arnolin, Bruno Pinheiro, Haroon Amiri, Bikramjit Singh, Peter Carvalho, Andres Santos, Mandar Rao Desai, Romeo Fernandes; Miroslav Slepicka
Narayan Das will be a big miss for FC Goa, who substituted early on in the first leg due to injury. Haroon Amiri is expected to fill his postion at the back. Bruno Pinheiro returns from suspension and will replace Youness Bengelloun in the starting XI. Peter Carvalho impressed in the first leg and should start in the second leg.
Atletico De Kolkata (4-2-3-1): Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; Lester Fernandez, José Miguel González Rey, Ofentse Nato, Baljit Singh; Borja Fernandez, Rakesh Masih, Cavin Lobo, Luis Garcia, Jofre Mateu, Jakub Podany
Jofre Mateu has declared himself fit for the game and goalkeeper Edel might be dropped to accommodate an extra foreigner in the side. Fikru might make it to the bench, but its high unlikely that he will start for the Kolkata outfit. Baljit Sahni has returned from suspension and is expected to start. Coach Habas might start Lester Fernandez and Baljit Sahni as fullbacks.
Form Guide (Last 5)
Atletico de Kolkata: D-D-L-D-D
FC Goa: D-D-W-W-W
Key Battles
Josemi vs SlepickaThe Spanish defender will have his work cutout when he takes on the man who has scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists so far. Atletico’s defence was a strength for them, but their performances have been quite poor in the past few weeks, Josemi would need to ensure the big Czech striker does not have a field day against Kolkata.
Luis Garcia vs Bikramjit
Former Liverpool man Luis Garica will be up against Indian defensive midfielder Bikramjit. Luis Garcia has been key to Atletico de Kolkata’s success till now and the Kolkata outfit heavily rely on their skipper to produce goal scoring chances.
Garcia has played a leader’s role for his side and has been seen playing a part in almost every attack that comes from Atletico de Kolkata. If Bikramjit can stop Garcia from being an influence in the game, Goa will be favourites to get something from the game.
Prediction
We expect both sides to play out another draw and the game to be decided on penalties.
