FC Goa vs Mohammedan SC: First-Ever Clash in ISL History

FC Goa (FCG) and Mohammedan SC (MSC) will face each other for the first time in Indian Super League (ISL) history at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday, at 7:30 pm IST.

FC Goa’s Recent Performance

FC Goa has a positive recent history against Kolkata-based teams, winning four out of their last five encounters. They have also performed well in away games in Kolkata, winning their last two matches against East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Mohammedan SC’s Debut

ISL debutants Mohammedan SC put up a spirited performance in their opening game, although they lost due to a 94th-minute winner by Alaeddin Ajaraie for NorthEast United FC. Similarly, FC Goa was defeated by an injury-time winner by Jordan Murray for Jamshedpur FC.

Key Players to Watch

FC Goa is close to becoming the first ISL team to score 350 goals, needing just three more strikes. Mohammedan SC’s No. 10 Alexis Gomez showed impressive dribbling skills in the opening match, which will be a challenge for FC Goa’s defense.

Coaches’ Insights

Mohammedan SC head coach Andrey Chernyshov mentioned that his team needs more time to adapt to the ISL. He said, “We need to improve in defensive situations, as well as in attacking ones. It’s not easy for players coming in from other countries to adapt quickly to the game here.”

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez emphasized his team’s determination to bounce back from their opening game defeat. He stated, “From the training sessions, the hunger among the players to respond to the defeat in the first game is there. But you cannot promise results, you can only promise that the players will work hard to achieve them.”

Marquez also provided injury updates, noting that key players like Mohammad Yasir, Sandesh Jhingan, and Iker Guarrotxena will be unavailable until after the FIFA break in October.