JAMSHEDPUR, Dec 21:The second half of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season will kick off with Jamshedpur FC desperately seeking points against FC Goa in matchweek 12 of the league at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, here on Thursday.
Last season’s league champions have now fallen to seven defeats in a row and are in 11th place with only four points on the board.
With ten games to go, Jamshedpur FC will need a quick turnaround to be in contention for the playoffs. Their opponents, FC Goa, currently occupy the last of the playoff spots but are 14 points clear. In the reverse fixture earlier this season, they had beaten Jamshedpur FC 3-0.
Last week, Jamshedpur FC suffered a narrow defeat against Bengaluru FC. The Red Miners have now suffered a 1-0 defeat in all of their last three games. “The season so far has been horrific. It has been a tough few months for everybody. In terms of how to turn things around and get back to winning ways, the key is to find the right players for the right places. We will be active in January, rebuild and go again,” said Boothroyd.
FC Goa have started gaining momentum and are set to kick off the second half of the season on a positive note. The Gaurs have won six of the ten games played so far. However, they have only won two out of their last five away games this season.
The defensive duo of Fares Arnaout and Anwar Ali have been solid at the back. FC Goa were on the verge of a second clean sheet on the trot before conceding a last-minute penalty in their previous match. “I expect a very different game than the first leg. We performed well then, but things have changed since then. They have changed a few foreign players,” said Pena. “We come here with a lot of respect for Jamshedpur, for their coach and their players, but we’re also here to get all three points,” he added.There have been 11 ISL encounters between these two sides so far. FC Goa have won six of those games, while Jamshedpur FC have won four times. (IANS)
