Margao: With consecutive wins after a shock defeat to NorthEast United, FC Goa will look to continue their momentum when they take on Mumbai City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
It was 2-1 to the ‘Islanders’ when both the sides last met in the Indian Super League, but with double hat-trick of wins after 10 rounds of matches, the ‘Gaurs’ now stand fourth with 19 points three rungs above Mumbai City who are seventh with 14 points from a match more.
Goa Coach Sergio Lobera however believes it was more of them being unlucky rather than Mumbai winning it, while Alexandre Guimarães on the contrary spoke of how they had dominated the ‘Gaurs’ then and are looking forward to doing the same on Sunday.
“We tried to control them in that match and are looking forward to do the same tomorrow and come out victors,” said the Costa Rican tactician.
But that Mumbai are still “trying to establish a pattern” after almost a half of the season shows that their campaign this term hasn’t gone swimmingly well. “Due to injuries we are not able to. But important thing is to keep on fighting and win matches and finish among the top four,” said Guimarães.
The ‘Islanders’ nonetheless will want to take full advantage of Goa’s fragile defence if they are to narrow down the 10 points gap at the top. The home side’s defence unlike its relentless attacks have been lethargic leaking 17 goals, the joint second-highest this season.
“We have been playing attacking game and on doing so we all concede goal. We are working hard to keep clean sheet which we are not able to do and the day we are able to do it I will be a happy man,” said Lobera.
Both the sides stand at a touching distance from the top four but Goa are closer and although they are favourites to make it into the top four, the Spaniard demonstrated that there are actually no favourites in the league.
“You could say favourites in the longer run but not possibly for a game as the league has already shown that favourites in the game does not really matter,” Lobera signed off.