FC Goa eye goal-scoring record in clash against champions Mohun Bagan

Panaji: FC Goa want to end their league stage campaign on a high, with an enviable record of becoming the first team to score in every game of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Goa have scored in each of their 23 league games so far to finish second behind Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Their concluding league clash is against the champions themselves and coach Manolo Marquez believes their defence will provide them with the toughest challenge at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.
“This is not exactly the target. It’s very, very difficult. I don't remember one case in the history of football when one team scored in every single game. We play against a team who concede less goals. It’s a team do not concede chances for the opponent. Mohun Bagan have won a lot of games without one single save from the goalkeeper,” Manolo said during the pre-match media interaction on Thursday.
Bagan have in-form Vishal Kaith in goal and two foreign centre backs – Tom Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez – who form a strong defensive core. That however is not the only reason why the champions have conceded just 16 goals in 23 matches, said Manolo.
“It’s not only the work of Vishal Kaith, who obviously is a great goalkeeper, and not only because everyone is speaking about the two foreign centre backs who are very good. It’s the defensive work that Bagan do from the pressing, forward and midfielders, backs, full backs.
“I think this is a team that is very, very competitive, with a lot of quality. This is the reason they are the champions, despite we having 48 points, which usually helps you become champions. But we encountered a team that won practically every single game,” said the Spanish coach.
Mohun Bagan have won 16 of their 23 matches, including the last four, largely on the depth of their excellent squad, and Manolo believes the Kolkata giants are deserving champions.
“I’ve always maintained that Mohun Bagan is the team with more possibilities (to win the title). The other day, they did a lot of substitutions in Mumbai, and the team (which was fielded) was top, practically with all international players. Maybe this is the difference with the other teams. But in every country, it’s like this. There are always one, two teams stronger than the others. When you have such a team, it's very important to manage the group. And I think that in this aspect, coach (Jose Molina) is very, very good.”
Goa won the home clash 2-1 before the first leg break on Dec 20 with Brison Fernandes scoring both the goals. Saturday’s clash though will be a different battle, with Manolo hoping they go on to play again in the final.
“I don't think they will play with all the (main) players. It will be the same with us, trying to keep out players who are at risk of suspension with yellow cards. The game won't be similar (to the first leg) because in that moment, the points were really important. But this is a good game when you play first against second. Let’s see if we have the same game in the final, though obviously, there will be four more teams who will try to get there,” said Manolo.
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