PANAJI
Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Saturday announced the remaining 11 rounds of fixtures for the 2020-21 season of Indian Super League (ISL). The ISL season 7 kicked off on November 20, 2020, marking the return of major live sporting action in the country amidst much anticipation.
FC Goa will begin the second phase of their defence of the ISL League Winners Shield on January 14 against Jamshedpur FC and end the league campaign on February 28 with a game against Hyderabad FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
Following their game against Jamshedpur FC, the Gaurs welcome ATK Mohun Bagan to the Fatorda in a designated ‘home’ game against the Mariners on January 17. After going down 0-1 against the Kolkata side, Juan Ferrando’s men will certainly look to take care of business this time around.
Following the clash, FC Goa will look to extend their seven-game unbeaten streak against Kerala Blasters on January 23 at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim.
January 29 will see the Men in Orange take on SC East Bengal at home in Fatorda before paying their last league visit to the Tilak Maida Stadium on February 4 in a match against NorthEast United, against whom the Gaurs are currently unbeaten in their last five. The Gaurs’ final visit of the league stage to the GMC Stadium takes place on February 8 when they take on Mumbai City FC.
The last four games of the league stage see FC Goa square off against Chennaiyin FC, Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC and Hyderabad FC on February 13, 17, 21 and 28 respectively. All four games are scheduled to take place at Fatorda with three of the games being designated ‘home’ games for Ferrando’s men.
Meanwhile, ATK Mohun Bagan's historic Kolkata derby return leg fixture against SC East Bengal will be played on February 19, at Nehru Stadium. ATK Mohun Bagan will also be playing in the final league game of the season against Mumbai City FC as the league phase comes to a close on February 28.
In what has been an enthralling edition already, the second half of the season will commence from January 12 as NorthEast United FC host Bengaluru FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium. There will be further seven double-headers in the remainder of the 55 league games of the season, all played on Sundays.
As the new year kicked in, ATK Mohun Bagan finished 2020 at the top of the table, closely followed by Mumbai City FC with the remaining nine teams posing a stiff challenge to topple them. It will be interesting to see how the fortunes change with each team having had a glimpse of their opponents’ firepower.
Lots will be at stake with the top four positions for grab, including the most important League Winner’s Shield. The schedule and venue for the playoffs and final will be announced at a later date.
FC GOA'S SECOND LEG FIXTURES
Thursday, Jan 14, vs Jamshedpur FC (Home), Fatorda
Sunday, Jan 17, vs ATK Mohun Bagan (Home), Fatorda
Saturday, Jan 23, vs Kerala Blasters (Away), Bambolim
Friday, Jan 29, vs SC East Bengal (Home), Fatorda
Thursday, Feb 4, NorthEast United FC (Away), Vasco
Monday, Feb 8, vs Mumbai City FC (Away), Bambolim
Saturday, Feb 13, vs Chennaiyin FC (Home), Fatorda
Wednesday, Feb 17, vs Odisha FC (Home), Fatorda
Sunday, Feb 21, vs Bengaluru FC (Away), Fatorda
Sunday, Feb 28, vs Hyderabad FC (Home), Fatorda
All games except the last two are scheduled for 7.30 pm kick-off. The last two games are slated for 5 pm kick-off; both on Sundays.
