Preview: FC Pune City vs. FC Goa

“Zico and Co. will look to establish a breathing space for themselves at the top of the table before enjoying a week’s layoff”.
Pune, 07 November 2015: FC Goa take on FC Pune City in a round nine clash of the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2 at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune, on Sunday evening. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM IST.
The Goan franchise, with 14 points from eight matches and level on points with Delhi Dynamos FC, have rectified their negative goal difference with their 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC at the Marina Arena on Thursday and now look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
“Our first target is to win the game and keep the first position,” said Zico, the head coach of the team. “We will try to keep the same spirit. We know it will be a difficult game against Pune who have their strengths at home.”
The Gaurs’ strike force has recently been given a fresh look with the addition of Rafael Coelho Luiz and Dudu Omagbemi. While the Brazilian impressed on his debut in the last match, the Nigerian striker won’t be facing the team he played for in the ISL last year.
However, with the competition progressing toward the qualification stage for the semi-finals, the Brazilian gaffer feels that the strikers have a tough task at hand.
“It is very difficult for the strikers because I can see that the game is becoming tougher defensively. Any chance that the strikers have, they have to try to finish it and get the best result. In the second phase of the tournament, it is very important to win. If you lose two or three games, maybe you are out of the tournament,” he reasoned.
Meanwhile, David Platt’s side are not far behind the league leaders with 13 points from eight matches and they will be looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Kerala Blasters FC on Wednesday.
FC Pune City also understands the importance of this tie, having played the same number of home matches as their opponent, with four of their remaining five fixtures to be played away from home.
The two teams’ first leg encounter was a 1-1 draw in Goa where the home side had squandered several chances and Roger Johnson’s own goal was eventually cancelled by Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
I-league / Indian Football Team
Adaption at the heart of Nikhil Poojary’s Comeback story
NEW DELHI: Nikhil Poojary is back in the national team after almost four years. His last outing – the 0-0 draw against Qatar in the World Cup Qualifiers in Doha in…
WIFA Inter District / WIFA Youth Championship
Goals Galore: WIFA Inter District Championship Kicks Off with a Bang
The highly anticipated WIFA Inter District Championship kicked off in Shirpur, Dhule with a series of exciting matches that left spectators on the edge of their seats. With two grounds…
Alberto Noguera pens one year contract extension with Mumbai City FC
Mumbai, 23 May 2023: Mumbai City FC are delighted to announce that Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguera has signed a new one-year contract, extending his stay with the club until the end of…
Treble-winner Dangmei Grace loves to lead from the front
NEW DELHI: Six months ago, Dangmei Grace returned to India after winning both the league and cup titles with PFC Sevinch Karshi in Uzbekistan. On home soil, she added another trophy…
WIFA Inter District Tournament for Junior Boys Begins May 24
The Western India Football Association (WIFA) is gearing up to host the highly anticipated Inter District Tournament for Junior Boys, set to take place from May 24th to May 30th,…
WIFA Inter District / WIFA Youth Championship
WIFA Inter District Championship: Kolhapur, Nagpur book semifinal berth
In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, Kolhapur and Nagpur emerged as the triumphant victors in their respective quarterfinal matches at the WIFA Inter District Football Championship for Junior…
Hero 2nd Division / I-League Qualifiers / I-league
Delhi FC crowned Hero 2nd Division champions earn promotion to Hero I-League
With a 3-1 victory over Ambernath United Atlanta on Friday, May 26, 2023, Delhi FC were crowned the 2022-23 Hero 2nd Division champions and secured promotion to next season’s Hero…
Next Gen Cup: ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC play out a goalless draw
ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC played out a goalless draw in their last group stage fixture of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup at Navi Mumbai…
Next Gen Cup: Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Sudeva FC 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup following a convincing 2-0 victory against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Reliance Corporate Park…
Everton seal second spot in Group A with 2-1 victory over RFYC
Everton FC defeated the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) 2-1 in a closely contested fixture of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup in Navi Mumbai today. The…
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…