Goa: FC Goa would be looking to extend their three-match unbeaten streak on Thursday (January 14) as they take on Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa. However, the Gaurs would like to pose a serious challenge for the top four spot and a win against Jamshedpur would help Juan Ferrando’s men in the hunt for the top spot.
Up against them are Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur – who had to endure a painstaking night against the Gaurs last time the two teams met. The Gaurs recorded another one of their signature come-from-behind wins with Igor Angulo getting the winner in injury time.
That brought an end to Jamshedpur’s six-game unbeaten run which had seen them climb into the top four. And Thursday gives Juan Ferrando’s men to further inflict more pain on their opponents with a win opening up a potential five-point gap between the Gaurs and the rest of the pack who have their eyes on a top-four spot.
So, what can you expect from the game? Who have been the stars so far and how have they been faring?
Here are 10 things to know before the game:
0 – The spotlights on Thursday night will be on Igor Angulo and Nerijus Valskis who are currently in first and second place respectively, in the race for the Golden Boot. However, neither forwards are yet to register an assist between them despite combining for 17 goals this season. Predators.
2 – In his first season as the starting left-back, Saviour Gama is one of only three defenders to have amassed two assists to his name. It was his delightful ball from the left that helped Goa get back on level terms last game against SC East Bengal. The only other two defenders to have two assists to their names are Hyderabad’s Ashish Rai and Bengaluru’s Harmanjot Singh Khabra.
4 – The Gaurs have conceded only four goals from open play this season so far. Only Mumbai and ATK Mohun Bagan have conceded less. Jamshedpur has conceded six from open play thus far.
5 – Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur has been the first team this season to get on the scoresheet in four out of the last five games. Goa, meanwhile, has conceded first in every one of their last 5 games.
8 – Nerijus Valskis’ mark of eight goals so far is the highest for any Jamshedpur player ever in an ISL season. The record was previously held by Sergio Castel – who had scored 7 goals last season.
9 – The Gaurs are the unofficial comeback kings this season in the ISL. Juan Ferrando’s men have come from behind time and again and so far, gained 9 points from losing positions. They have come from behind against Bengaluru, NorthEast and SC East Bengal to claim a share of the spoils. Meanwhile, they put on the afterburners to score come-from-behind wins against Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC.
10 – Out of the 13 goals scored by FC Goa, 10 have come from open play so far. Only Hyderabad (11) has scored more goals from open play than FC Goa. Jamshedpur has scored only five – joint lowest so far.
19 – While Edu Bedia has been playing a much deeper role this time around, no other central midfielder has made more attempts on goal than the FC Goa skipper. The Spaniard, who is yet to get off the mark this season, has taken 19 attempts on goal, making the keeper make saves on 5 occasions.
63 – No one has a higher ball possession than FC Goa in the league. The Gaurs enjoy an average of 63% possession of the ball (29 minutes 46 seconds). Jamshedpur ranks 8th in that respect – enjoying an average of 48% possession (20 minutes and 36 seconds)
219: Jorge Ortiz leads the league in terms of all challenges combined (defensive, attacking, aerial and ground) with 219 to his name. The second name on that list is that of Nerijus Valskis with 210.
