Newcomers Mohammedan SC yearn to stand tall as FC Goa chase ISL goal-scoring record
Kolkata, September 20: FC Goa will face Mohammedan SC will face each other for the first time in Indian Super League (ISL) history at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 pm IST. FC Goa have a positive recent history against Kolkata-based teams, winning four out of their last five encounters, with their only loss coming against Mohun Bagan Super Giant earlier this year. The Gaurs have also fared well in away games in Kolkata, winning their last two matches against East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
ISL debutants Mohammedan SC put up a spirited performance in their opening game, where a 94th minute winner Alaeddin Ajaraie secured NorthEast United FC the win. Similarly, the Gaurs were undone by an injury time winner by Jordan Murray for Jamshedpur FC.
FC Goa on the brink of historic record
•FC Goa are merely three strikes away (347) from becoming the first ISL team to score 350 goals in the competition. 124 of these goals have come on an away turf, a reasonable nine ahead of the second-best Mumbai City FC (115) in this regard.
Individual flair in Mohammedan SC
• Mohammedan SC No. 10 Alexis Gomez attempted eight dribbles and completed four of them against the Highlanders. He rounded off the most dribbles along with Lallianzuala Chhangte and Jithin M.S. on the opening matchday. Gomez’s ball-playing skills will be a factor to watch out for the FC Goa backline.
“Different players adapt differently to circumstances”
Mohammedan SC head coach Andrey Chernyshov has outlined that both his defensive as well as offensive players will require some additional time to get accustomed to the oppositions in the ISL.
“ We need to improve in defensive situations, as well as in attacking ones. We try to change some situations, and be better in the next match. It’s not easy for players coming in from other countries to adapt quickly to the game here. Different players adapt differently to circumstances, some take less time and some more than that,” Chernyshov said.
“Working hard to respond to the previous defeat”
FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez urged that his team is working hard to bounce back from the defeat in the opening game and gave some important injury updates for the squad, with the Gaurs missing multiple first-team stars for the coming few matches.
“From the training sessions, the hunger among the players to respond to the defeat in the first game is there. But you cannot promise results, you can only promise that the players will work hard to achieve them. And I feel that on Saturday against Mohammedan SC, they will work hard. Whether we will win 100% cannot be said, but we can definitely say that we will try our 100%,” he quoted.
“Mohammad Yasir has had a big injury and he will be out at least for a month. All of our injured players won’t be available before the FIFA break window in October. However, three of them, i.e. Yasir, Sandesh Jhingan, and Iker Guarrotxena, could be available just right after the international break ,” Marquez added.
Additional Stories
https://www.indiansuperleague.com/interviews/chernyshov-staff-and-players-call-for-fan-support-ahead-of-mohammedan-scs-isl-debut
Key Players Stats & Milestones
• Gaurav Bora is manning the heart of the backline for Mohammedan SC and he has considerable ISL experience under his belt, having played 61 matches and made 1.45 interceptions, won 1.32 aerial duels, and made 3.68 recoveries per game, in addition to maintaining a 77% passing accuracy.
• FC Goa will want Armando Sadiku, who found the back of the net against Jamshedpur FC, to be prolific against Mohammedan SC. He had seven touches in the opposition’s box in the last game and also won five duels along with making three shots on target. His interlinking with Rowllin Borges right down the centre of the field will keep the Mohammedan SC defence on their toes.
• FC Goa’s Jay Gupta will be an influential figure in the game, having registered the second-most touches (1808) in the ISL since the start of the 2023-24 season, only behind Odisha FC’s Ahmed Jahouh (2234).
ISL debutants Mohammedan SC put up a spirited performance in their opening game, where a 94th minute winner Alaeddin Ajaraie secured NorthEast United FC the win. Similarly, the Gaurs were undone by an injury time winner by Jordan Murray for Jamshedpur FC.
FC Goa on the brink of historic record
•FC Goa are merely three strikes away (347) from becoming the first ISL team to score 350 goals in the competition. 124 of these goals have come on an away turf, a reasonable nine ahead of the second-best Mumbai City FC (115) in this regard.
Individual flair in Mohammedan SC
• Mohammedan SC No. 10 Alexis Gomez attempted eight dribbles and completed four of them against the Highlanders. He rounded off the most dribbles along with Lallianzuala Chhangte and Jithin M.S. on the opening matchday. Gomez’s ball-playing skills will be a factor to watch out for the FC Goa backline.
“Different players adapt differently to circumstances”
Mohammedan SC head coach Andrey Chernyshov has outlined that both his defensive as well as offensive players will require some additional time to get accustomed to the oppositions in the ISL.
“ We need to improve in defensive situations, as well as in attacking ones. We try to change some situations, and be better in the next match. It’s not easy for players coming in from other countries to adapt quickly to the game here. Different players adapt differently to circumstances, some take less time and some more than that,” Chernyshov said.
“Working hard to respond to the previous defeat”
FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez urged that his team is working hard to bounce back from the defeat in the opening game and gave some important injury updates for the squad, with the Gaurs missing multiple first-team stars for the coming few matches.
“From the training sessions, the hunger among the players to respond to the defeat in the first game is there. But you cannot promise results, you can only promise that the players will work hard to achieve them. And I feel that on Saturday against Mohammedan SC, they will work hard. Whether we will win 100% cannot be said, but we can definitely say that we will try our 100%,” he quoted.
“Mohammad Yasir has had a big injury and he will be out at least for a month. All of our injured players won’t be available before the FIFA break window in October. However, three of them, i.e. Yasir, Sandesh Jhingan, and Iker Guarrotxena, could be available just right after the international break ,” Marquez added.
Additional Stories
https://www.indiansuperleague.com/interviews/chernyshov-staff-and-players-call-for-fan-support-ahead-of-mohammedan-scs-isl-debut
Key Players Stats & Milestones
• Gaurav Bora is manning the heart of the backline for Mohammedan SC and he has considerable ISL experience under his belt, having played 61 matches and made 1.45 interceptions, won 1.32 aerial duels, and made 3.68 recoveries per game, in addition to maintaining a 77% passing accuracy.
• FC Goa will want Armando Sadiku, who found the back of the net against Jamshedpur FC, to be prolific against Mohammedan SC. He had seven touches in the opposition’s box in the last game and also won five duels along with making three shots on target. His interlinking with Rowllin Borges right down the centre of the field will keep the Mohammedan SC defence on their toes.
• FC Goa’s Jay Gupta will be an influential figure in the game, having registered the second-most touches (1808) in the ISL since the start of the 2023-24 season, only behind Odisha FC’s Ahmed Jahouh (2234).
