ISL 2018-19 Semifinal: Resolute Mumbai City faces goal-hungry FC Goa

With Modou Sougou and Ferran Corominas set to light up the Mumbai Football Arena with their goal-scoring exploits, Saturday's first leg Indian Super League 2018-19 semifinal clash between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa promises to be an exciting encounter.

FC Goa's Ferran Corominas trains ahead of Saturday's semifinal clash against Mumbai City FC.

Mumbai City FC will look to erase its painful memories of the two losses it suffered against FC Goa in the league stage when the two sides lock horns in the first leg of their Indian Super League semifinal at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday.

Guided by former FC Porto and Portugal defender Jorge Costa, The Islanders will look to impress in their second semifinal appearance.

“This is like the Champions League, home and away. Both teams play one half (of the playoffs) here in Mumbai, the other half in Goa,” said Costa on the eve of the game.

“We are focussed for this match, happy to be in the first four, we wish to go further and play the final. It will not be easy. FC Goa also want to be there. In these kind of games, the team with the least mistakes does well,” he added.

Modou Sougou has been the spark in Mumbai City's attack, scoring a remarkable 12 goals in the season thus far.

 

The Portuguese, pleased with his side's display thus far, was blunt in his assessment of his side's troubles early in the season. “We made all kinds of mistakes in some games, especially in the two ties against Goa. I think we learnt that when you make mistakes, you lose. We don’t like to lose, so I hope the mistakes don’t happen,” he said.

With Lucian Goian at the heart of the defence, supported by Amrinder Singh under the bar and fellow defenders Souvik Charavarti, Subashish Bose, Mumbai City boats a tight defence. However, the side will have to do a lot against a ferocious FC Goa attacking unit consisting of Ferran Corominas, Edu Bedia and Ahmed Jahouh. FC Goa has scored the most goals in the league stage, 36, and Corominas leads the race for the Golden Boot with a stunning 15 goals to his name.

Hugo Boumous and Ferran Corominas have been instrumental in FC Goa's success this season.

 

FC Goa, marshalled by Spaniard Sergio Lobera, plays a polished passing game and is known for its goal-scoring prowess. Deputy coach Jesus Tato promised more of the same.

"The most important thing is our style of football. We have to be ourselves. Of course, you have to take the opposition into account, we have to keep working on our strength and stick to our style,” he said.

With Modou Sougou and Corominas set to light up the Mumbai Football Arena with their goal-scoring exploits, Saturday promises to be an exciting encounter.