The equation is simple. Chennaiyin FC, a team that has managed seven clean sheets so far, needs to repeat the feat one more time to book its place in the final for the second time in the Indian Super League.
Even a goalless draw will see the home side go ahead on the back of the away goal advantage it gained from the 1-1 result in the first leg.
But FC Goa, as it showed on Saturday, is a hard team to contain. The team has scored the maximum goals this season and it needed Chennai to defend out of its skin two days back to concede just one goal.
While Chennaiyin did well to come from behind to salvage a draw, the match exposed some weaknesses, chief among them, striker Jeje Lalpekhlua’s form.
The India striker is going through a barren patch, and on Saturday missed when he had only the ’keeper to beat.
It is something coach John Gregory is aware of, but the Englishman has immense faith in his striker and says he continues to do so. “I just keep supporting him because he's one of my players. He has saved us and won us matches. If you remember the ATK game, he scored the winner,” said Gregory.
“He has this ability of getting goals and I have great faith in him.
“Strikers do become inhibited if things do not go according to plan, but Jeje worked so hard the other night in Goa.”
FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera said the team would continue to play the attacking football even though, he admitted, there were risks involved.
“We are going to keep playing our brand of football because I think that is what makes us strong,” said the Spanish.
Goa will also be bolstered by the availability of midfielder Hugo Boumous.