FC Goa aim to maintain momentum in ISL

Margao, Nov 25 (IANS) Hosts FC Goa will aim to maintain their upward swing and jump to the third spot when they take on Kerala Blasters FC in an 11th round match of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Wednesday.

Kerala defeated Goa 1-0 in the first leg of the competition at Kochi but since then the home team seem to have hit a purple patch, remaining unbeaten in four matches, collecting eight points with two victories.

Their improved form have helped them jump to the fourth spot in the standings, a marked reversal of fortunes for a side who were at the bottom of the eight-team contest at the halfway stage of the inaugural tournament.

But Goa coach, Brazilian legend Zico will surely know that it the form his team exhibits now, at the business end of the group stage, that will matter the most.

Their opponents, Kerala Blasters FC, have also been one of the better teams of the competition, winning four of their 10 matches to occupy the third spot in the league ladder, just above Goa.

They are also on form with three wins and two draws from their last five matches and will certainly not be short on motivation as a win will take them to the second spot behind leaders Chennaiyin FC.

Zico has successfully infused the Brazilian attacking flair associated with his name in his team but it is the conversion of chances that has proved to be their biggest obstacle in winning.

The team also had a rejig in their coaching staff, with assistant coaching resigning on health grounds and three Brazilians joining the team in various capacities at the request of Zico, who will be hoping their introduction enthuses positivity at the crucial juncture of the competition.