ISL 2017: Preview – Mumbai City FC vs FC Goa – Play cautious or go all out?
ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY could be the situation for Mumbai City FC as they host FC Goa in their first home game tomorrow (November 25) at 8 pm.
Mumbai City FC lost their opener 2-0 in the Indian Super League against Federation Cup champions Bengaluru FC. The first half was an open game. Bengaluru struck twice in the second half, one, with an individual brilliance of Edu and the second a mix-up between MCFC's Amrinder and defender Wadoo. Mumbai will want to get over with the loss and mistakes and come afresh against a strong FC Goa side.
FC Goa, on the other hand, finished comfortable 2-3 winners against Chennaiyin away from home. A 3-0 half time lead was well deserved but lack of concentration and a howler from goalkeeper Kattimani allowed Chennaiyin to come back in the game.
One mistake each from both Mumbai City FC and FC Goa will be on the minds of the players involved but they will try to make up for it in this game. Mumbai City did not threaten the Bengaluru goal and that means work to do the strikers in this game.
Mumbai, one of the best defences last season, haven't shown the same discipline in the first game this season. But it again, the lessons learnt against a more experienced side early in the season could be used by MCFC coach Guimaraes in tackling an attacking side like FC Goa.
Breaking the glass
FC Goa conceded two despite leading by three goals shows that they can be cracked from places. Mumbai City will first have to choke FC Goa's supply of balls to the forward line.
The Gaurs must keep the momentum going. The flash runs from the middle and flanks can be used to get past the unsettled Mumbai defence.
Players to watch
FC Goa split open the Chennaiyin defences on multiple occasions and Brandon Fernandes was the one responsible for many those deadly through-balls. He is quick on the ball and capable of switching flanks or playing into space behind defence at will.
Achille Emana, the Cameroonian, has played over 400 games and among those are national team games as well. has won the Africa Cup of Nations and Confederations Cup performing national duty. Although, not a similar style of play but Emana is expected to emulate the role that Diego Forlan played last season.
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