FC Goa Faces Bengaluru FC in Crucial ISL Semi-Final Clash
Exciting Semi-Final Showdown in Goa
On Sunday, FC Goa will take on Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa for the second leg of their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 semi-final, according to the official ISL website.
In the first leg, Bengaluru FC secured a solid 2-0 win, leaving FC Goa with the challenge of overcoming this deficit to advance to the finals.
Bengaluru FC has shown impressive form, winning their last two playoff matches without conceding any goals, which presents a tough challenge for the team coached by Manolo Marquez.
However, Bengaluru FC has struggled in their recent visits to Goa, suffering defeats in their last two encounters, including a match that ended in a goalless draw. If they fail to score again, they will become only the third team in ISL history to not find the net in consecutive away games.
FC Goa is currently experiencing a three-match losing streak in the playoffs, which ties their longest in ISL history. A loss in this match would mark their worst knockout run, something they are keen to avoid.
Goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari has been a key player for FC Goa this season, achieving seven clean sheets and making 51 saves, the highest by any FC Goa goalkeeper in a single ISL season.
With a strong defensive performance, another shutout could help Bengaluru FC extend their knockout winning streak to three games, matching their best run from March 2019 to 2020, and solidifying their path to the finals.
Bengaluru FC has scored 47 goals this season and is close to becoming the fourth team in ISL history to surpass the 50-goal mark in a single season, joining FC Goa (2019-20), Mumbai City FC (2022-23), and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (2023-24).
In their 18 encounters in the ISL, FC Goa has won five matches while Bengaluru FC has claimed eight victories, with five matches ending in draws.
Manolo Marquez, head coach of FC Goa, expressed confidence in his team's ability to reach the finals, stating, “The past and statistics are not important right now. We are confident that we can get into the finals.”
Gerard Zaragoza, head coach of Bengaluru FC, emphasized the importance of being aggressive and aiming to score, while also prioritizing the need to win the match.
Rahul Bheke of Bengaluru FC has made 116 clearances this season, the highest by any Indian player and second overall. His 16 clearances in the first leg were the most by any player this season and set a record for Bengaluru FC in a single ISL match.
Brison Fernandes from FC Goa has scored three goals from outside the box this season, tying for the most by a Goa player in a single campaign, alongside Noah Sadaoui (2022-23). The 23-year-old has scored seven goals and provided two assists this season.
In the first leg, Bengaluru FC's Gurpreet Singh Sandhu achieved his eighth clean sheet of the season, with only Vishal Kaith (14) having more in the 2024-25 season.