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I-League Preview: Sporting Clube De Goa – Mumbai FC
Now or never for Sporting...
08-Mar-2010 12:07:00 PM
By Rahul Sengupta
Kick-Off: 16: 00 IST, March 9 2010, Tuesday
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.
Do Or Die...
Sporting Club De Goa are currently lying in the bottom of the I-League with just six points in their kitty. Being one of the favourites to take the drop, Sporting shall look to bank on some home advantage as they prepare for Mumbai FC.
Fresh from the 1-1 draw in Mumbai, the Flaming Oranje are trying hard to pull off some good performances. With the squad currently having no injury concerns it is the right time to expect some sweet surprises from them.
Their strike force lacks the firepower as Junior Elijah and Nathaniel Amos haven’t reached close to the standards they set for themselves from last season. Michael Tayo seems to have forgotten the good form he enjoyed at Air India for two seasons. The Goan side needs to find an inspiration from somewhere.
Back On Track...
Mumbai FC are maintaining a spot just in the middle of the I-League table and would be keen to climb up the ladder. Having lost six points in their last two outings, Khalid Jamil’s boys will look to seize the initiative from Sporting.
Coming back directly from a hard fought defeat to Dempo, Mumbai FC are confident enough to earn three points. They are better placed than their opponents and would enter the game as favourites.
Form Guide
Sporting Club De Goa
Air India 1-1 Sporting Clube De Goa (I-League)
Sporting Clube De Goa 1-1 East Bengal (I-League)
JCT 2-0 Sporting Clube De Goa (I-League)
Mumbai FC
Mumbai FC 2- 3 Dempo SC (I-League)
Mumbai FC 0-1 Viva Kerala (I-League)
Mumbai FC 0-0 Mahindra United (I-League)
Team News
Sporting Club De Goa
No major injury worries for Sporting Club de Goa except Bisheshwor Singh who injured himself in the Police Cup finals against Vasco SC.
Mumbai FC
Khalid Jamil has a fully fit squad to choose from with Noel Wilson back in the fray after having served a one match suspension.
Key Players
Sporting Club De Goa
Joseph Pereira won the Man of the Match award against Air India but that was more as a result of better than the worst scenario. The Sporting captain will look to make things happen if they are to survive in the I-League.
Mumbai FC
Abhishek Yadav seems a man on a mission as he leads Mumbai FC from the front. The Indian international is back amongst goals and that’s a good news for his side.
Key Areas...
Abhishek Yadav’s height will certainly be tough to contend with for Sporting Clube given that they haven’t been defending well throughout the season. Mumbai FC shall look to exploit the weakness in the backline of the home side.
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