Months of hardship and strenuous workload has finally reduced the Indian Super League 2020-21 season to four teams, with Juan Ferrando’s FC Goa scheduled to lock horns with Sergio Lobera’s Mumbai City FC in the first leg of the first semi-final at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday, March 5.
FC Goa and Mumbai City FC have already crossed paths twice in the league this season and while their last meeting ended in an exciting 3-3 draw, the earlier game went MCFC's way with striker Adam le Fondre scoring a 95th-minute winning penalty. Ferrando’s men are currently unbeaten in their last 13 ISL games -- an ISL record -- but the team has played as many as eight draws between this stretch.
As far as Mumbai are concerned, they got back to winning ways after a slight blip, beating Odisha FC 6-1 and ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 in their final two league stage games. Mumbai City FC clinched the League Winners Shield as a result and a spot in the AFC Champions League.
FC Goa squad
Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Dylan D'Silva, Shubham Dhas
Defenders: Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Seriton Fernandes, Aibanbha Dohling, Leander D'Cunha, Mohamed Ali, Sanson Pereira, Sarineo Fernandes, Saviour Gama, Adil Khan
Midfielders: Edu Bedia, Flan Gomes, Jorge Ortiz, Brandon Fernandes, Alberto Noguera, Glan Martins, Redeem Tlang, Seiminlen Doungel, Nestor Dias, Phrangki Buam, Princeton Rebello, Alexander Jesuraj, Makan Chothe, Amarjit Singh
Forwards: Igor Angulo, Ishan Pandita, Aaren D'Silva, Devendra Murgaonkar
Mumbai City FC squad
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Nishit Shetty, Vikram Singh, Phurba Lachenpa
Defenders: Mourtada Fall, Mandar Rao Dessai, Tondonba Singh, Sarthak Golui, Amey Ranawade, Mohamad Rakip, Mehtab Singh, Valpuia
Midfielders: Ahmed Jahouh, Cy Goddard, Hugo Boumous, Herman Santana, Rowllin Borges, Farukh Choudhary, Raynier Fernandes, Bidyananda Singh, Asif Khan, Bipin Singh, Pranjal Bhumij, Sourav Das, Vikram Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy
Forwards: Bartholomew Ogbeche, Adam Le Fondre
FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC likely playing XI
FC Goa predicted playing XI: Dheeraj Singh (GK); Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Adil Khan, Saviour Gama; Alexander Jesuraj, Edu Bedia, Glan Martins; Redeem Tlang, Igor Angulo, Jorge Ortiz
Mumbai City FC playing XI: Amrinder Singh (GK); Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Hernan Santana, Mandar Rao Desai; Rowlin Borges, Ahmed Jahoud, CY Goddard, Raynier Fernandes, Bipin Shah; Bartholomew Ogbeche
Where to watch FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC ISL semi-final?
The FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC ISL semi-final 1st leg will be telecast live at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi as well as the respective HD TV channels in India on March 5.
FCG vs MCFC will also be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV.
Get ISL live scores here.
