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Igor Angulo and Adam le Fondre's goals have been crucial for their sides' league campaigns. ISL
The first half by the numbers!
HT | FC Goa 1 - 1 Mumbai City FC
What a chaotic end to the first half! First, FC Goa are denied a penalty after what looked like an illegitimate tackle on Edu Bedia, but in the replay it's evident that there was very little contact. Then Bartholomew Ogbeche almost puts Mumbai ahead with a headed attempt that is kept out wonderfully by Dheeraj! Mandar then takes out Princeton with a crunching tackle and leaves the Goa player on the deck, for which he picks up a yellow card. And in what is pretty much the last action of the half, Mourtada Fall clatters into Dheeraj on a corner, leaving the Goa goalkeeper crumpled in a heap inside the goal. Luckily, he's fine, and upon getting on his feet again, his goalkick puts an end to play.
41' | FC Goa 1 - 1 Mumbai City FC
Well it was a bit against the run of play, but Mumbai are back on level terms. They have to deal with a bit of pressure right away, and Edu Bedia is fouled on the very edge of the penalty area. It's a great opportunity for a curling free-kick from the Spaniard, but his attempt only finds Ogbeche in the wall. Bedia then goes down injured. Could this be a huge blow for Goa? No, he seems alright. Meanwhile, Adam le Fondre is given yellow for a fairly innocuous tackle on Saviour Gama, he's fuming!
37' | FC Goa 1 - 1 Mumbai City FC
It's a goal and it comes out of absolutely nothing! A momentary lapse of concentration is enough, and Hugo Boumous draws his team back level! Boumous was surrounded by three Goa players, but the ball somehow ricochets past them and gives him the opportunity to unleash a low volley from the edge of the penalty area, which creeps past Dheeraj towards his far post!
34' | FC Goa 1 - 0 Mumbai City FC
Scratch what I just said, it's Seriton who's coming off for Leander D'Cunha. The 23-year-old defender has some big boots to fill in what is undoubtedly the biggest match he's ever played. His first job is to mark Bartholomew Ogbeche on a corner, but luckily for the youngster, he's not called in to action.
30' | FC Goa 1 - 0 Mumbai City FC
Adil appears to have taken a serious knock in an aerial duel with Mourtada Fall. It looks like it might be 23-year-old Leander D'Cunha coming on to replace him, what an occasion on which to make your debut. Wait, Adil looks like he can continue, D'Cunha is sent back to the bench.
27' | FC Goa 1 - 0 Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC look a bit off the pace, and it might be because of the slight change of formation that was required to accommodate Hugo Boumous, Adam le Fondre and Bartholomew Ogbeche. They do get a pretty decent chance though, as Boumous puts Ogbeche through, but the angle is a little tight and Dheeraj comfortably makes the save. Bad news for Goa though, as Seriton pulls up seemingly injured. He takes a couple of minutes to get back on his feet, but manages to continue despite looking like he's struggling. The ensuing corner doesn't do much to trouble Goa.
20' | FC Goa 1 - 0 Mumbai City FC
Another penalty shout, and this time, the referee agrees! It looked clear cut, Igor Angulo was absolutely scythed down by Brandon, and the ref points to the spot. Angulo to take, and he sends the keeper the wrong way, burying it in the side netting on the right! It was hit with real venom! FC Goa have the lead, and that seems about right for now.
17' | FC Goa 0 - 0 Mumbai City FC
Penalty shout for FC Goa, and that looked nailed on! Unfortunately, the referee doesn't share my views. It's a terrible misspass from Mandar, and Romario was motoring towards goal. Dakshinamurthy was struggling to keep up with him, and clumsily clips him. The slow mo replay confirms I was right, but the lack of VAR means that we just pretend like that never happened.
15' | FC Goa 0 - 0 Mumbai City FC
At the moment, Mumbai appeared to have abandoned any desire to play Sergio Lobera's brand of beautiful football. It's currently all long balls and target men for the Islanders, and they're not really having any luck with that.
Sidebar, maybe it's just his glorious afro that's catching my eye, but Glans Martins looks like he's absolutely everywhere. He's huffing and puffing his way to interceptions and tackles.
Preview: One of the most consistent teams in the history of the tournament, FC Goa will look to take a step closer to their maiden ISL title when they face table-toppers Mumbai City in the first leg of their semi-final fixture on Friday.
Goa have secured playoff qualification a record six times but they could never manage to lift the ISL trophy, having lost the finals on two occasions.
Come Friday, the Gaurs will look to put it past League Shield winners Mumbai City FC to inch closer to the dream of lifting their first-ever trophy.
Having qualified for the playoffs for the fourth-straight time, Goa are only behind Mumbai in terms of goals scored, alongside NorthEast United.
They have form backing them too, having been unbeaten in 13 games now — a feat no other side has managed in Hero ISL history.
Facing Mumbai will not be an easy task but coach Juan Ferrando hopes his players stick to his philosophy as they aim to go all the way.
"If we enjoy the game, we will have success," he said.
"Sometimes there is pressure because everybody wants to win but for me, it's important our players to want to play (our way). I am scared when my team is not playing football (our way) because it's difficult to help the team. But all our players want to participate and stick to our style."
However, they will have their task cut out with Ivan Gonzalez and Alberto Noguera missing out due to suspensions.
While Goa top the charts for most possession (58 per cent), Mumbai (57 per cent) are not too far behind. Dominating possession has worked for Lobera's side, who have netted a whopping 35 goals.
During the last meeting between the two sides, Ferrando had stated that the pressure was on Mumbai to win the League Winners Shield. And having achieved that target, Lobera will aim to prove a lot more to his former employers.
"I love when others speak about Mumbai City as a favourite team since they are thinking we are better than them," he said. "It's good for us. I love this pressure but we need to prove ourselves on the pitch."
Similar to Ferrando, Lobera too, wants his players to enjoy themselves rather than take pressure.
"It's a special game," he added.
"We need to be smart and ready to play 180 minutes and tomorrow is the first step. We are excited and I hope we enjoy (the challenge)."
Mumbai will be without Amey Ranawade (suspended) while Hugo Boumous returns after a four-match ban.
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