Gaurs look to extend their strong form and maintain momentum against struggling Nizams
PANAJI
FC Goa will square off against the Nawabs of Hyderabad FC tonight at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with both teams having a lot to play for. The Gaurs are on a strong run, having won four of their last five matches, and a victory in this game would not only extend their winning streak to four games but also mark their first-ever four consecutive shutouts against Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League.
FC Goa head into the match in third place on the table with 25 points from 13 games, while Hyderabad are languishing at the penultimate spot with just 8 points from 14 matches.
FC Goa's forward Armando Sadiku and head coach Manolo Marquez spoke head of the clash, with both emphasizing the importance of staying focused and maintaining their momentum. Sadiku, who has been pivotal for Goa this season, spoke about the team’s unity and the importance of the upcoming game: "We respect Hyderabad; they have a good team, but we are in a strong moment, and we need to keep winning. Tomorrow is another tough game, but we will give our best from the first minute."
Sadiku, who had a blistering start to the season, was asked about his recent dip in form. He assured fans that his focus remains on the team's success rather than individual achievements. "Sometimes I score, sometimes not, but I always try to do my best for the team," he said, adding that he was fully fit after a brief injury scare in Kerala.
Coach Manolo Marquez echoed Sadiku's sentiments, stressing the importance of consistency. Despite the team's strong position, Marquez warned against complacency, calling the match "dangerous" due to the high expectations placed on FC Goa. "We are favorites, yes, but we need to show that on the pitch. Hyderabad may be struggling, but they are still a dangerous team, and we must be focused to win."
Marquez also reflected on the quality of his squad, describing the current group as one of the best he's ever worked with. "The team is very complete; we have everything -goalscorers, hard workers, technical players. Choosing the foreign players for each match is difficult because everyone brings something unique," he said. The coach also confirmed that the team’s ultimate goal is to win the ISL Shield, though he emphasized the need for continued focus in every match.
As the Gaurs prepare for a challenging stretch of fixtures, including an upcoming match against Northeast United, both Sadiku and Marquez expressed confidence in their squad's ability to push for the top spot. "We need to keep going, no matter the result. The next game is always the most important," Marquez concluded.
(ANALYSIS):
FC Goa
-Defensive strength: FC Goa is on a strong defensive run, having kept a clean sheet in their last three games. A win with another clean sheet will set a club record of four consecutive shutouts against Hyderabad FC.
-Attack: The team has been scoring consistently, with goals in 13 consecutive matches. A goal in this game will push their streak closer to the club’s longest-ever run of 16 games.
-Table position: FC Goa is currently 3rd in the league with 25 pts from 13 matches (7 wins, 4 draws).
Hyderabad FC
-Struggling Attack: Hyderabad FC is having a tough time scoring, with 3 consecutive away losses without scoring a goal.
-Table position: The team is second last in the standings, with only 8 points from 14 matches (3 wins, 2 draws).
-Need for a win: Hyderabad FC desperately needs to break their losing streak, especially in away games, to avoid further drop in the table.
Head-to-Head:
- FC Goa: 6 wins
- Hyderabad FC: 3 wins
- Draws: 2
Key Highlights
- FC Goa’s Defence: They've conceded just 8 goals from open play inside the box this season, the second-best record in the league.
- FC Goa’s recent form: 4 wins in their last 5 games.
- Hyderabad FC’s recent form: 4 losses in their last 5 games.
- FC Goa: Can extend their winning run against Hyderabad FC and set a record for consecutive clean sheets.
- Hyderabad FC: Need a strong performance to end their winless and goalless streak away from home.
