GOA:
FC Goa go into their game against NorthEast United on Monday on the lookout for their first win of the campaign. Despite some impressive performances against Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC in their first two games of the season, the Gaurs have only one point to show for it.
NorthEast United, on the other hand, have had a brisk start to their new campaign under their new head coach Gerrard Nus and currently sit second on the table. The Spaniard tasted victory in his very first ISL game when the Highlanders upset the applecart in their season opener with a 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC.
The Highlanders followed that up with a spirited comeback against Kerala Blasters. They showed real character to fight back from going 2 goals down to clinch a 2-2 draw thanks to a strike in the dying minutes.
Speaking ahead of the game, Juan Ferrando, the FC Goa Head Coach said, “I understand the talk of three points being important in the upcoming game, but for me, it doesn’t really change much. We go into every game in this competition with a view to getting all three points. And it will be the same for this game as well.
“Of course, I am not happy with the results. I feel against Bengaluru, we let two points slip away. We were the better team and created some good opportunities. Against Mumbai, the game became difficult for us when the referee showed Redeem (Tlang) the red card. However, the team really played well, and I am happy with the effort.
“However, that is the past and now we have to look to the future and the NorthEast game. They are an excellent side and are very disciplined. We will have a plan going into the game. And we will again look into the details and find the best solution for the game ahead.”
Furthermore, adding in terms of player availability, the gaffer remarked, “Brandon (Fernandes) started the pre-season late owing to an injury. He, however, is coming through and took part in a full training session yesterday. We will love to get him more involved, of course.
“Ishan Pandita meanwhile had an eye infection which made his lose out on about a week’s training. He is also back on the pitch and working his way back to match fitness.”
Games against FC Goa and NorthEast United have always promised goals and heading into the game on Monday, here are some numbers you should keep an eye on:
0: There has never been a goalless draw between the two sides in 12 games played.
0: The Gaurs are yet to lose a game to NorthEast United at home in Fatorda. The Gaurs have been held to 2 draws whilst eeking out 4 wins.
2: NorthEast United have never scored more than 2 goals in a game against FC Goa. The Highlanders’ biggest win over the Gaurs came on October 4, 2016, when a brace from Emiliano Alfaro helped them to a 2-0 win.
5: FC Goa is unbeaten in their last five encounters against the Highlanders. The Gaurs were held to draws on three occasions, but were able to get the better of NorthEast at home over the last two seasons.
5: Goa’s biggest win over NorthEast came in the corresponding fixture in the 2018/19 season. Goals from Coro (2), Hugo Boumous, Edu Bedia and Miguel Palanca propelled the Gaurs to a 5-1 win.
7: NorthEast United have not kept a clean sheet in their last 7 games against the Gaurs and have actually kept only 1 clean sheet in 12 games between the sides. That came in their 2-0 win at home on October 4, 2016, courtesy of an Emiliano Alfaro brace.
9: The Gaurs have become synonymous with goals and the last game against Mumbai City FC was the first time in 9 games that the Gaurs failed to find the net. Goa has in fact scored 2 goals or more in 7 of their last 9 games in the Indian Super League.
9: The defeat in Goa’s last game was also the first time the Gaurs have lost a game at Fatorda in 9 games. Their last loss at home; which was also their only home defeat of last season came against Jamshedpur FC on November 26, 2019, when an early Sergio Castel strike helped the visitors to a 1-0 win.
51: Since the beginning of last season, 51 of the 53 goals scored by FC Goa have come from inside the box. Only Brandon Fernandes’ strike against Odisha at home and Jackichand Singh’s chip in the Gaur’s 5-0 win away at Jamshedpur came from outside the box.
148: Edu Bedia leads the league in terms of passes played with 148. This is despite the Gaurs playing the majority of the last game with only 10 men against Mumbai City FC.
