As the race for the Indian Super League playoff heats up, third-placed FC Goa have gathered momentum on their side. They have been unbeaten...
As the race for the Indian Super League playoff heats up, third-placed FC Goa have gathered momentum on their side. They have been unbeaten in their last six games, winning thrice.
But when they face SC East Bengal at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday, they will face one of their toughest tests as they will likely be without their first-choice central defenders, Ivan Gonzalez and James Donachie. While Gonzalez was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters, Goa suffered another huge blow as Donachie limped off.
Besides that, Goa will also miss the presence of coach Juan Ferrando on the touchline after the Spaniard was suspended against Kerala. However, the absentees are not a concern for assistant coach Clifford Miranda who feels Goa is heading in the right direction.
“The most important thing about this team during this period (unbeaten run) is the adaptation to the new coach,” he said.
“From ones (that were there) to the players that he got, it’s never easy. Step by step, we are moving towards our objective and the way the coach wants the team to play.”
The last time these two sides met, 10-man SCEB held Goa to a 1-1 draw and the highlight of the game was Bright Enobakhare’s...