Chennai: Chennaiyin FC will look to make home advantage count against FC Goa when the two sides lock horns with each other in the first leg of their Hero Indian Super League play-off clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.
Both teams head into this fixture in a rich vein of form and that makes the encounter even more promising.
Chennaiyin have been in formidable form since Owen Coyle took charge and they turned around their fortunes with an eight-match unbeaten run, winning six of them, to end their league stage campaign. Goa have won their last five matches to finish on top of the league table with 39 points from 18 matches.
Rafael Crivellaro and Nerijus Valskis have been in scintillating form for the home team and the duo has scored 20 goals and 11 assists between them. FC Goa’s defence must remain on their toes to contain their attacking impetus.
“Chennaiyin is the most difficult side in the play-offs. It is one team we would have wanted to avoid. They are the most improved side in the league. They are a team that is unbeaten in the last eight games with six wins and two draws. It is going to be difficult for us. But we will play our natural game,” said Goa interim coach Clifford Miranda.
It will be an interesting battle at the centre of the park as Anirudh Thapa and Edwin Vanspaul will be tasked with the responsibility of keeping a check on Goa’s enterprising midfield comprising of Ahmed Jahouh, Hugo Boumous and Brandon Fernandes. (IANS)
