MARGAO
FC Goa will start the 2021/22 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) with a clash against defending champions Mumbai City FC on November 22 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda in what is billed as an ‘away’ clash for the Gaurs.
The ISL will commence on November 19 with last season’s runners-up ATK Mohun Bagan taking on the inaugural runners up Kerala Blasters in the opening match at Fatorda, the organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) announced on Monday. FSDL revealed the first eleven rounds of matches of the season that will be held inside a bio-bubble in Goa.
The league, this season will introduce a late 9.30 pm kick-off for its Saturday doubleheaders. The regular weekday schedule remains unchanged with matches kicking off at 7.30 pm.
Juan Ferrando’s men, who will be calling the SAG Athletic Stadium in Bambolim their home this season, will play their first ‘home game’ on November 26 when they host Jamshedpur FC.
FC Goa will then again be on the travel to start December as they face NorthEast United and SC East Bengal in Fatorda and the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco respectively before returning to home comforts to host Bengaluru FC. The clash against the Blues will be Goa’s first for the new 9.30 pm kick-off.
The Men in Orange will again see their game kick off at 9.30 pm a few days later – this time against Hyderabad FC. The final two games of the calendar year will see FC Goa on the road to take on Odisha FC and ATK Mohun Bagan. The new year sees FC Goa clash against Kerala Blasters on January 2 and then against Chennaiyin on January 8.
FC GOA ISL FIXTURES: Nov 22: vs Mumbai City FC (A); Nov 26: vs Jamshedpur FC (H); Dec 4: vs NorthEast United FC (A); Dec 7: vs SC East Bengal (A); Dec 11: vs Bengaluru FC (H), 9.30 pm; Dec 18: Hyderabad FC (H), 9.30 pm; Dec 24: Odisha FC (A); Dec 29: ATK Mohun Bagan (A); Jan 2: vs Kerala Blasters FC (A); Jan 8: Chennaiyin FC (H), 9.30 pm.
