Ahead of the second leg of the first semifinal between FC Goa /and Delhi Dynamos, The Hard Tackle prdicts three things to watch out for
FC Goa will hope that a boisterous home support will help them turnaround their slender first leg deficit and manage to pip Delhi Dynamos at the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday, to book their place in the final of the Hero Indian Super League after last seasona s disappointment.
The Guars were the favourites in last seasona s semi final against Atletico de Kolkata due to their form in the second half of their league stage campaign, but Zicoa s boys were outwitted by Antonio Lopez Habas.
The Brazilian star believes that last seasona s experience will help them to defeat Delhi Dynamos and overturn their fortunes at the Fatorda stadium. . The Hard Tackle looks forward into the match and picks out three factors which could play a key role in deciding the outcome of the match.
Delhi Dynamosa Crucial Decision
With a slender lead in hand from the first leg, Roberto Carlos and Delhi Dynamos will have to make the crucial decision of whether to sit back and defend, a policy that cost FC Goa their spot in the semis last season, or go for an attacking approach that the coach has promised during the pre match press conference. The nature of the decision will be crucial despite the fact that both coach Roberto Carlos and star midfielder Florent Malouda have expressed that the team will play an attacking game, THT believes that the Lions are likely to play a counter attacking football while protecting their 1-0 lead over FC Goa. While this might not sound exciting for a neutral fan, but FC Goa who need to overcome the goal are expected to go all out in attack which leads us to our next mini battle.
Role of Romeo and Manadar in FC Goa
Last seasona s break through talent Romeo Fernandes and this seasona s one of the most consistent performers whenever called upon, Mandar Rao Desai, both ply their trade for Zicoa s FC Goa and will be the ones to look out for other than the foreign stars. FC Goa had been ravaged by injuries this season but the two Indian wingers alongside Leo Moura, Lucio, Jonathan Lucca and Gregory Arnolin have helped the Guars lead the charge to the top of the Hero Indian Super League standings. Both Romeo and Mandar have scored the vital goals and complemented each other quite well, as they have few assists to their names as well and it will be interesting to see how Delhi Dynamos nulify their threats from the wings.
Anas Edathodika
The Indian defender has been a mainstay in the Delhi Dynamosa defence alongside Riise but in recent weeks the Kerala born defender has been at the wrong end of the stick. The Delhi Dynamos were the most miserly team in conceding goals during the league stage, but in the last few weeks Anas has been guilty quite a few shoddy defending. Even though there were instances of shoddy defending earlier in the season also but most managers have noticed these clumsy errors from the Indian defender, who has recently been called up to the national squad for the Suzuki SAFF Cup. Zico will look to take advantage of the situation by applying some pressure on the Indian defender through their wingers
Image Courtesy: ISL Media