ISL 2024-25: FC Goa Seeks Strong Finish Against Mohammedan SC After Securing 2nd Place

Margao (Goa), March 3 (NationPress) FC Goa is set to face Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. The Gaurs have clinched a second-place finish following the fourth-placed Jamshedpur FC dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC.

With two games remaining, the Red Miners can achieve a maximum of 44 points, which would still leave them short of FC Goa's current total of 45 points from 22 matches. The third-placed Bengaluru FC has 38 points from 23 matches.

This ensures that the Gaurs will advance directly to the semifinals, avoiding the one-leg eliminator in the playoffs. Mohammedan SC has experienced four losses and one draw in their last five games, accumulating 12 points from 22 matches. Their previous encounter ended in a 1-1 draw on September 21, 2024. Another draw would make Mohammedan SC only the third team to draw against FC Goa in their first two ISL meetings, following Mumbai City FC (2014) and East Bengal FC (2020-21).

FC Goa has triumphed in their last four home games in the ISL. A win in this match would mark the third instance in their history of achieving five or more consecutive home victories in a single season, having achieved seven wins in a row in 2019-20 and five in 2023-24.

This season, FC Goa has been particularly effective from long distance, with Carl McHugh scoring their ninth goal from outside the box against Punjab FC. Another long-range goal would make them only the fifth team in ISL history to score 10 or more goals from outside the 18-yard box in a single campaign.

Mohammedan SC secured a clean sheet in their last away game against Odisha FC (0-0 on February 28). They have only achieved consecutive clean sheets once this season, in January. Their three clean sheets in away matches this season are tied for the most by any ISL team, alongside Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

This season, Mohammedan SC has conceded nine headed goals, tied for the highest with Hyderabad FC. Only Odisha FC has ever allowed more headed goals in a single ISL season (13 in 2021-22 and 12 in 2020-21).

This match will mark just the second ISL meeting between the two sides, with their first match in September 2024 ending in a 1-1 draw.

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez emphasized the need for his team to stay focused despite securing second place. “While we have confirmed our second place, we need to deliver strong performances in our last two matches, as any team can pose a threat in the ISL,” he stated.

Mohammedan SC assistant coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo acknowledged that his team must improve their performance to have a chance at victory. “FC Goa has been a formidable opponent and is in excellent form. We will need to give our utmost effort to secure three points from this match,” he remarked.