Gaurs Hoping for Strong Showing in Kerala

PANJIM:
FC Goa returned to winning ways in their previous encounter against Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzarote was on hand to score a brace with a goal either side of half time to ensure that the Gaurs got back into the top four. They will next take on a revitalized Kerala Blasters FC who seemed to have found some form under new coach David James.
Laxmikant Kattimani has been in good form in the past couple of matches, making a number of good saves. He has however, not kept a clean sheet in the tournament yet and will be looking forward to doing so against the yellow brigade in Kerala. Ali Mohamed is expected to start in the heart of defence along side Sergio Juste who will replaces an injured Bruno Pinheiro. Seriton Fernandes will start on the right and Narayan Das will continue on the left.
After a long period of rest, Sergio Lobera’s midfield generals Edu Bedia and Ahmed Jahouh will be raring to go and produce a similar performance like they did against the same opposition in Goa. Pronay Halder remains an option from the bench. Manuel Lanzarote who has now scored seven goals finds himself in third place on the Golden boot list and will want to continue scoring goals.
He will occupy the attacking midfield position. Brandon Fernandes looked impressive against Jamshedpur and he too will begin on one wing along with Mandar Rao Dessai on the other. New signing Lalmuankima could also be used as a winger while youngsters Liston Colaco and Yasir Mohammed could make an appearance from the bench.
Top scorer Ferran Corominas hasn’t netted a goal in a couple of matches and will be looking to return to scoring ways against the team he scored a hat-trick against in Goa. Indian striker Manvir Singh had a good outing against the men of steel and he will look to make an impact from the bench.
The Gaurs put five goals past the men in yellow at Fatorda and will be looking for a similar performance in the return fixture.