FC Goa look confident after 3-0 victory over Bengaluru FC in last meeting

PANAJI

FC Goa will face Bengaluru FC in a key Indian Super League match this Saturday at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 PM, and both teams are determined to secure a crucial victory as they battle for a top-four spot in the league.

FC Goa comes into this game full of confidence, having defeated Bengaluru FC 3-0 in their previous encounter at Fatorda last month. Goals from Armando Sadiku, Brison Fernandes, and Dejan Drazic capitalized on Bengaluru's defensive errors to hand the Gaurs a comfortable win. The victory gave FC Goa an important three points and boosted their momentum.

Currently, FC Goa is in 5th place on the ISL table with 18 points from 10 matches, while Bengaluru FC occupies 2nd place with 23 points from 11 games. A win for FC Goa on Saturday could reduce the gap between the two teams and strengthen their position in the playoff race.

Ahead of the match, FC Goa midfielder Ayush Chhetri spoke about his personal growth and the team's preparations. Ayush, who has been playing in a forward role this season, expressed that the competition within the squad is motivating and helps him improve. "It’s good to have competition in the team. It pushes me to keep improving," he said.

Ayush, who has adapted to his new role, also credited his experience in the I-League for making the transition smoother. "It wasn’t difficult because I’ve played in the I-League before, and I understand what the coach wants from me," he added. This Saturday’s game will mark Ayush’s 50th appearance in the ISL, and he is focused on helping the team win rather than individual achievements like goals or assists. “For me, it’s about helping the team win and earning points,” he said.

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez spoke about the team’s impressive run of four consecutive wins. While acknowledging the challenges of winning so many matches in a row, he stressed that each game has been different. "It’s very difficult to win four consecutive games in this competition. We’ve had some challenges, especially with injuries, but the team has shown great character," he said.

However, Marquez admitted that the team's performances in recent games, particularly in their 1-0 win over Hyderabad, were not as dominant as they would have liked. "We need to improve," he said. "If we play like we did against Hyderabad, we will not win in Bengaluru. We have to be much better."

Looking ahead to the match against Bengaluru, Marquez acknowledged the strength of the Blues, noting that players like Sunil Chhetri, Jorge Pereyra-Diaz, and Edgar Mendez make their attack a big challenge for FC Goa. "Bengaluru is a very complete team with many attacking options, and they are dangerous, especially with Sunil Chhetri, who is excellent in the air," he said.

Marquez also provided an update on the injury situation. Midfielder Rowllin Borges is fit again and will be available for selection, but goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Kattimani, recovering from back surgery, will miss the game. Defender Mohammed Nemil is also sidelined with an MCL injury and is expected to return in January.