A historic first-ever level achieved in their earlier match, FC Goa would look to place their finest foot ahead and hope for a win in their second group match of the AFC Champions League towards Al Wahda of the UAE right here on Saturday. FC Goa turned the primary Indian workforce to earn some extent in the AFC Champions League after their goal-less draw towards Qatar’s Al Rayyan in their opening Group E match on Wednesday.
Boosted by the purpose, Juan Ferrando’s males are set to method their subsequent recreation otherwise, hoping to earn three factors towards Al Wahda. The Abu Dhabi-based facet maintain the sting over their Indian rivals, having a superior continental expertise with 12 earlier appearances in the ACL, however FC Goa will take confidence from the truth that they may maintain at bay repeated assaults from a powerful Al Rayyan.
FC Goa had restricted possibilities in entrance of the opposition purpose in their earlier match and Ferrando needs his gamers to be extra adventurous in assault. “We earned a point in the last match and we are obviously looking to improve and continue in the same way in our next match. It’s important to have control in the way we attack, especially in the final third,” mentioned Ferrando forward of Saturday’s match.
“The most important aspect here is to work as a unit and stay focused. We did what was needed in the first game. I’m happy with how the team played in defence and we needed some improvements in attack.” On the opposition workforce, Ferrando mentioned, “They are a very attacking side. We need to keep the ball more to make it easier for us. Centre-back Gonzalez will have his work cut out while captain Edu Bedia will be the ever present force in midfield. Jorge Ortiz and Ishan Pandita are expected to deliver the goals.
Al Wahda made it to the group stage after beating Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC 2-1 in the play-offs. They are coming into Saturday’s match after a 0-1 loss to Persepolis FC in their opening match on Wednesday. Al Wahda will be boosted by the return of their captain and veteran UAE international Ismael Matar, who made a cameo in the second half against Persepolis. Tim Matavz will lead their attacking line alongside Khalil Al Hammadi.
“I watched FC Goa’s game against Al Rayyan. They are a very well organised team with a very good defensive centre with James Donachie, Ivn Gonzlez, Edu Bedia in the middle and they are a very strong part of the team with a very good goalkeeper,” Al Wahda head coach Henk Ten Cate mentioned. “We are facing an opponent who already have a point but one win can change the whole dynamics of the group and we’re here to do so.” He, nevertheless, dismissed any considered house benefit for FC Goa.
“The home advantage is not really an advantage. Because normally the advantage is because of the crowd. There’s no crowd, so there’s no home advantage.” The winners of every of the 5 teams and three finest runners-up will advance to the spherical of 16 of the knockout stage.
Read all of the Latest News and Breaking News right here
