Goa aim to extend ascendancy against Chennaiyin
FC GOA will aim to build on their impressive start when they face winless Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) third round match in Goa on Sunday.
The battle between last year's semi-finalists is expected to be a closely contested affair at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium despite the two team's standings in the second edition of the tournament.
Chennaiyin have lost both their first two matches, against champions Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos. Goa have four points after beating Dynamos and drawing with Atletico.
Goa have displayed an attacking flair expected of them after packing the squad with as many as seven Brazilians, all handpicked by their coach, Brazilian legend Zico.
But Zico said he is aware of Chennaiyin's strengths and will not take anything for granted.
"Chennaiyin FC have lost both their matches but they could have won both their matches as well. In the first game, they dominated but got punished for individual mistakes. Atletico de Kolkata are good at punishing such mistakes," Zico said during a pre-match media conference on Saturday.
Zico said his team could have got all three points after dominating Kolkata in the last game but he did not have any complaints.
"We have to now look ahead."
Their injured midfielder Bikramjit Singh has recovered and will be considered for selection; he could replace Denson Devdas in the centre of the pitch.
Chennaiyin are however not alarmed despite being winless but admitted they are mulling a change in tactics.
Manager Marco Materazzi made four changes in the last game. But he is yet to identify their first choice team and could continue with efforts to discover it.
Their offensive unit will be bolstered with the full recovery of Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra.
"There will be change in tactics. We have planned for this game and are ready for FC Goa. We know FC Goa's strengths and have planned accordingly," Chennaiyin FC's assistant coach Vivek Nagul said on Saturday.
