Felisbino fired FC Goa to their first win as Zico’s men defeated an in-form Mumbai City FC in front of the Mumbai crowd.
The two sides faced each other off in front of the Mumbai crowd with FC Goa looking to avoid becoming the first club to go five games without a win. Mumbai City FC were the favourites with Alexandre Guimaraes’ side sitting pretty at second on the table.
The fixture turned out to be a real tight affair with most of the battles happening the midfield. The shots were scarce and the passes were sprayed without much perfection as none of the teams recorded a passing success ratio of over 70%.
As the clock crossed the 40 minute mark, Goa forward Julio Cesar provided the assist as Felisbino put Zico’s men ahead. The Goa side then held off with Mumbai City failing to get much shots on target with only 1 recorded attempt on target compared to 6 off the aim.
Mumbai City FC’s failure to make the most of their chances cost them as FC Goa sneaked a 1-0 away win to mark their first win of the current campaign and avoid the embarrassment of becoming the first club to go five games without a win.
The result meant Mumbai City FC dropped the opportunity to go top of the league while FC Goa are now back in contention for a spot in the top four with Zico’s men just 2 points off fourth-placed Delhi Dynamos.
Atletico de Kolkata vs Delhi Dynamos
The Rabindra Sarobar stadium in Kolkata plays host to a tightly contested battle on the cards with two undefeated teams at loggerheads.
Both the sides go into the game with six points from 4 games. The two teams are the only ones to stay undefeated at the current point in the season.
Both Kolkata and Delhi recorded their only victory in an away tie and have 3 other draws to show for their efforts. Either of the sides would be looking to get a kick-start now and gain some steam as the Indian Super League goes into the crucial middle phase of the season.
Helder Postiga remains unavailable for Atletico De Kolkata while Stephen Pearson is suspended for the game with the player receiving marching orders in the last outing.
In the absence of Postiga, Belencoso will again be trusted with the duty to spearhead the front-line but the forward looks off the pace while Iain Hume has been deployed more as a second striker by the manager thus far this season.
Tiri seems to be available for selection while Nato could be set for a start against the Dynamos. Doutie and Javi Lara have emerged as key men for the Red and Whites and the duo would be looking to stamp their authority on the game in front of the home crowd.
Zambrotta, on the other hand, has issues of his own to deal with. Edathodika still lacks match fitness while Bruno Pelissari is still on the sidelines.
Delhi’s marquee signing, former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, has struggled to get going this season and the Italian manager would be hoping the Frenchman hits his stride soon as Delhi bid to make it to the knockout stages.
If Doutie and Lara have been the marksmen for Atletico De Kolkata, it is the pair of Richard Gadze and Marcelinho that has drawn praise and attention with lovely link-up play and chemistry between the two.
Gadze was the star in Delhi’s magnificent comeback against Mumbai City FC and the forward would look to inflict some wounds and a first defeat to Kolkata as they travel to face the champions of the inaugural season at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.
Delhi’s attack has been sublime, at most times, with Marcelinho and Gadze running the rule over the opposition but it is the defence, especially, the goalkeeping standards that have let Zambrotta down thus far.
Toni Doblas has looked far from convincing between the posts and Poirei did not look much better against the Mumbai side as he let in 3 goals with some opining that he could have done more in each of the goals conceded.
Prediction :
Atletico De Kolkata 2 – 2 Delhi Dynamos
Even though it would make for an interesting viewing to see either of the the undefeated sides claim a victory, a draw seems more plausible. The fixture is likely to provide lots of action, goals and entertainment for the fans but the attacking prowess of either side is likely to mean no clean sheet for either of the side.
On the basis of form and team updates, a win for Delhi Dynamos may well be on the cards but Atletico De Kolkata has shown resistance in the past matches and the Red and Whites are expected to eke out a draw again to keep their unbeaten run going.
