There hasn’t been a particular method or style to Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa’s strategy or formations in the current edition of the Hero Indian Super League. They have rotated their players and have tried several permutations and combinations in an effort to find the right mix even as the event enters the second phase.
After having played seven matches each, the teams still haven’t been able to solve the jigsaw puzzle.
When they clash at the Nehru Stadium here on Thursday, it would be tempting to side with the host given the previous outing where it thrashed Goa by a four-goal margin, with star striker John Stiven Mendoza scoring a hat-trick.
However, it isn’t that straightforward.
Even though Chennaiyin has scored the most number of goals in the league along with FC Pune City — 11 (Mendoza, 6, and Elano, 3, have scored nine of them) — it has seldom been cohesive in the midfield and has been pretty ordinary in defence.
Its last match against Kerala Blasters was ample evidence.
Chennaiyin was fortunate to eke out a draw, thanks to an excellent display under the bar by Karanjit Singh. Moreover, the form of striker Fikru has been a cause of concern for he has been ineffective thus far, but chief coach Marco Materazzi brushed aside those suggestions saying “he was not worried about his form.”
Goa has its own set of problems. The Brazilian striker Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliviera is yet to justify the faith of chief coach Zico despite being in the starting eleven in five matches.
Injuries to key players like Joffre Mateu Gonzales, Keenan Almeida, Pronay Halder and Joaquim Abranches has hit the team hard in the last few matches. But the fact that all are ready for the Thursday’s tie would come as a morale booster for the visitor.
Zico admitted on Wednesday at the pre-match press conference that Mendoza and Elano have been a major headache for his team, and said their priority was to mark the duo.
“He (Mendoza) is a very good player, very fast and all. We tried to mark him (at Goa) but couldn’t succeed. We don’t have any special plans for Mendoza. We are going to play as we have to play and neutralise Mendoza and Elano,” said the Brazilian legend, while ruing the team’s inability to take its chances.
Striker Darryl Duffy, who is yet to recover from a hairline fracture he suffered in the match against Mumbai City, will be replaced by new signing Dudu Omagbemi of Nigeria.
Chennaiyin’s Harmanjot Khabra’s suspension has been reduced to two matches which means, in all probability he will play on Thursday. Both teams will be fielding a full strength side, which means it’s a battle where one can pick a favourite at their own peril.
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