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FC Goa host ISL table toppers Atletico de Kolkata in what is expected to be a fiercely contested game today. Diwali is set to see some fireworks on the ground as these two talented teams lock horns in what is a very crucial game for FC Goa, still looking for their first win of the ISL.
The dynamics for Atletico de Kolkata are pretty different. And though they would be content with a point away from home at a difficult ground, they would look for three points to get back to winning ways and further strengthen their lead at the top.
Whatever the result maybe, the game is expected to be a cracker and if things go as per the norms, it will definitely be one of the games of the season so far. However, the little black mark on the match might be the absence of the marquee players on either side.
Form Guide
FC Goa: L-D
FC Goa has played two games so far, losing one against Chennaiyin FC, while they managed a point against the North East United FC. They have failed to accumulate points, but their style of play is heartening and even the coach is not too worried as he feels his team is doing the right things and playing well. It is only a matter of time before they nick a win and then, probably a trail.
Atletico de Kolkata: W-W-D
Atletico de Kolkata has been the team of the tournament so far winning their two opening games comfortably against the impressive Mumbai City FC and North East United FC before they shared spoils with Delhi Dynamos at home. They will be looking to get a result when they visit FC Goa and get back the winning momentum.
Venue & Kick-off
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (also known as the Fatorda Stadium) in Margoa, Goa.
Seating capacity: 24,500.
Kick-off: October 23, 2014: 7:00 pm (IST)
Possible starting line-ups
FC Goa (4-1-4-1): Seda; Debrata Das, Youness Bengelloun, Gregory Arnolin,Narayan Das; Peter Carvalho; Gabriel Fernandes, Bruno Pinheiro, Andre Santos, Clifford Miranda; Ranti Martins
Zico is not expected to tinker too much with his line-up that played against North East United. With Pires having a little injury on his knee, Bruno Pinheiro is expected to take his position ahead of Edgar Marcelion to lend more solidarity to the midifield, especially against a dangerous looking Atletico de Kolkata side, while Edgar is expected to make a cameo appearance to help change the dynamics in the later stages.
Having seen how important keepers have been in the games played, FC Goa are set to keep going with Seda in between the sticks, while the experienced pair of Gregory Arnolin and Youness are set to marshal the defence in wake of keeping Fikru at bay. The experienced Debrata Roy is set to go ahead at the right back as he lends solidarity, while the young and quickly learning Narayan Das would take the left back position trying to thwart the threats caused by Baljit Sahni and Jakub Podany.
Peter Carvalho is expected to shield his defence, while the likes of Bruno Pinheiro and the crafty Andre Santos are set to direct the traffic from the centre, fighting against Jofre and Borja.
Flamboyant Gabriel Fernandes and Clifford Miranda are expected to be at either side of the striker, which is expected to be filled by the veteran Ranti Martins.
Atletico de Kolkata (4-2-3-1): Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; Denzil Franco, Jose Miguel, Arnab Mondal, Biswajit Saha; Borja Fernandes, Ofentse Nato, Baljit Sahni, Jofre Mateu, Jakub Podany; Fikru Teferra
Antonio López Habas would be content with the way his team has played so far. But while the Spaniard would welcome back Borja Fernandes to the team, their marquee player Luis Garcia is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Habas is set to go with the same line-up with a straight swap between an incoming Borja Fernandes and a departing Luis Garcia.
Subashish Roy has been in tremendous form and so have been the back four for the La Liga winners’ co-owned outfit and hence, no change is expected there. Borja and Nato are expected to hold the lines in the middle against Goa’s Bruno and Santos, Baljit Sahni, Jofre and Podany are expected to give attacking support to Atletico de Kolkata’s Fikru – the player of the season so far.
Key Battles
Arnolin and Youness vs Fikru
The FC Goa defensive pair would be up against Fikru who has scored two goals in three games and setup in the other game when he won a penalty against the Delhi Dynamos.
Fikru has looked in solid form and with his height and built, he has posed a physical threat to the opposition on more occasions than one and would be Atletico de Kolkata’s main threat. FC Goa’s defensive lines would need to be marshalled flawlessly and the onus would lie on the duo of Arnolin and Youness.
Borja Fernandes vs Peter Carvalho
While Borja Fernandes lends solidarity to the centre of the park with his abilities to cut short attacks, he is equally dangerous, if not more going forward. Having already scored a screamer in the season opener and created umpteen chances, the former Real Madrid man would certainly be the one to stop for FC Goa.
The astute man Zico is, he would ask Peter Carvalho to man-mark the Sapniard out of the game, tracking all his runs and cutting down his supply to the frontline.
Andre Santos vs Nato
Andre Santos made his ISL debut against North East United FC and though, he did not look 100%, he was quite a threat for the North Easterners. Santos was called upon by Zico for his FC Goa side and operated from the central position.
The Brazilian showed his skill and craft as he went ahead on several occasions, posing a threat and it was his delivery into the box that helped FC Goa with a goal.
Habas would be vary of the threat and quality and would hence want his defensive midfielder Nato to press high on him and try to take him oout of the game.
Prediction
FC Goa 1-1 Atletico de Kolkata
