FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos will meet each other in the return leg of the semi-final at the Fatodra Stadium in Goa. Dynamos have a lead of 1-0 through Robin Singh's solitary goal in the previous leg. Delhi might have the advantage but they must keep in mind that they will be facing the Ghaurs in their home stadium and no way FC Goa will go easy on them.
In the previous match, Dynamos performed way better than the Goa side and created a number of chances for themselves but could not cash in on them. In each and evry department, be it attack, defence or the midfield, Dynamos were ahead of their rivals. So Delhi will once again try to emulate their performance in Fatodra. Their style of play is reminiscent of the famous Dutch 'Total Football' where they attack and defend altogether. Gustavo Dos Santos was their star player in the previous match, as he, along with French veteran Malouda, Chicao, Shylo Mama and orchestreted a string of moves, the goal coming from one of them. Malouda has not yet scored in the league and will be looking forward to open his account.
Delhi's defence looked rock solid with Indians Sehnaj Singh, Anas and Robert working in tandem with the Norweigian 'Wall' Riise thwarted the opposition attacks. And like a cherry on a cake, Dynamos last man of defence, their goalkeeper Toni Doblas is in a superb form as he is capable of saving almost anything that comes his way. It can be assumed that Dynamos have managed to create a balanced side with players like Richard Gadze, Hans Mulder, Viniscus adding strength to their reserve squad.
Coming to FC Goa, they produced a disheartening performance in the last match, but if they want to advance to the finals, they will have to play their best possible game. One advantage for Goa is that they are only lagging by one goal and since Zico's boys play an attacking style of football, they have the capability to overcome the deficit. Another plus point for them is they will be playing in front of their home crowd who will give everything for their beloved team. But FC Goa must rectify the mistakes they made in the last match. Reinaldo and Rafael Cohelo were vastly ineffective in front of a solid Dynamos defence.
Zico might start with Dudu Omagbemi in this match for a change. In the league phase, Goa's midfield dominated most of the matches but in their last venture, it looked pretty ordinary. The likes of Leo Moura, Jofre, Romeo Fernandes, Jonathan Lucca have to fight it out in the midfield battle with an equally robust Dynamos midfield. Goa's defence will be headed by Lucio and Greogory who are always bankable but they too have to cautious of the rival strikers and must not give them any chance to increase their lead.
All-over it looks like it will be a higly entertaining battle between two of the best sides of the ISL this season. Morever this match will also mark the end of one of the legendary Brazilian coaches as both Zico and Carlos have declared that they do not have any plans of returning to ISL anytime soon.
Probable XI:
FC Goa:
Kattimani(GK), Lucio(C), Gregory,Narayan, Gaikawad, Jofre, Lucca, Moura, Romeo, Reinaldo, Sabeeth
Delhi Dynamos:
Doblas(GK), Anas, Sehnaj, Riise, Robert, Chicao(C), Shylo Mama, Malouda, Gustavo Dos Santos, Robin,Adil
