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.
Highlights, ISL 2021 Semi-final, FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC: Teams share spoils in chaotic 2-2 draw
Catch all the latest updates and the live score from the first leg semi-final encounter between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC on Firstpost.com’s live blog! read more
 "Highlights, ISL 2021 Semi-final, FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC: Teams share spoils in chaotic 2-2 draw")
That’s it from us folks!
On the whole, it was quite a close affair, with both teams doing really well to grind out a draw. Join us tomorrow as we bring you all the latest updates from the other semi-final fixture in which NorthEast United take on ATK Mohun Bagan! Until then, goodbye and goodnight!
FT | FC Goa 2 – 2 Mumbai City FC
That’s that for the first leg of this semi-final! There was a fair bit of excitement in both halves, as FC Goa twice went forward, only for Mumbai to level the score both times. Both sides cancelled each other’s biggest attacking threats well enough. The game almost ended terribly for Mumbai City, as Mourtada Fall went in double footed with a crunching tackle, but the big centreback escapes without a red card and will still be available for the second leg. It’s Princeton who was the victim of the challenge, and he was given a fair bit of treatment, before being replaced by Ishan Pandita. Edu Bedia was then shown a yellow in the dying embers of the match, in what was the last event of note.
87’ | FC Goa 2 – 2 Mumbai City FC
As we enter the last five minutes of regulation play, the pace has picked up to a certain extent. It’s become a bit more end-to-end, these teams might actually be on the lookout for a win. You could have fooled me with the last 20 minutes of play.
80’ | FC Goa 2 – 2 Mumbai City FC
For a few minutes there, it really looked like we were in for a crazy, intense finish, but at the moment, this is playground football being played. Both teams have almost instantly devolved into scrappy passers, giving away the ball at the slightest hint of pressure. Maybe the introduction of someone like the energetic young Ishan Pandita is what’s needed to breathe some life back into this contest.
75’ | FC Goa 2 – 2 Mumbai City FC
The game’s lost a bit of its intensity after the two rapid-fire goals, and currently there are just half chances being traded between both teams. It’s become a scrappy affair, but it does look more likely that Mumbai will score.
66’ | FC Goa 2 – 2 Mumbai City FC
Donachie heads out for a Mumbai corner from a set-piece, and it gives Mumbai another chance to test the aerial capabilities of Goa. The ball is just dreadful though, it’s way, way overhit. Mumbai do appear to be on the ascendancy though, and Goa will want to tighten things up in double quick time if they have any shot of getting a good result in this first leg.
61’ | FC Goa 2 – 2 Mumbai City FC
Seconds after going behind, Mumbai City FC are back on level terms! It’s a wonderful ball in from Ahmed Jahouh on Mumbai’s left wing, and it’s delivered right onto Mourtada Fall’s noggin. The Senegalese centre-back is completely unmarked, and he heads home from close range with ease to become the highest scoring defender in ISL history.
60’ | FC Goa 2 – 1 Mumbai City FC
SAVIOUR GAMA SCORES! What a goal from the diminutive left-back, he just keeps running and running, and the Mumbai defenders keep backing away, until he’s in a wonderful position to shoot. His shot is low and hard and it rifles past Amrinder!
55’ | FC Goa 1 – 1 Mumbai City FC
Bartholomew Ogbeche has been knocking on Goa’s door all night, and he sends them yet another warning shot, heading a cross from Mandar slightly wide of goa. If they keep giving him chances like this, it won’t be long before he scores.
49’ | FC Goa 1 – 1 Mumbai City FC
So who’s going to take this game by the horns? It’s Goa who show early initiative, keeping the ball nicely and trying to widen the play. Le Fondre then goes on a blistering run into the penalty area, before being tackled. The ball ricochets into the feet of Boumous on the wing, who sends it right back into the Goa penalty area, where it’s blasted over the goal by Ogbeche.
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, Jorge Ortiz 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.
10’ | FC Goa 0 – 0 Mumbai City FC
It’s a sloppy start from Mumbai, they don’t look convincing in the slightest. On the other hand, FC Goa have begun with great intensity, and their constant, ceaseless pressure is causing real problems for their opponents. Glans Martins has been putting himself about with real gusto, and he batters Ahmed Jahouh with a late tackle. We’re only seven minutes in though, so the referee opts against a yellow card. The foul committed near the halfway line, but it’s still an opportunity for Mumbai to test Goa with the set piece. The delivery is off, it flies past the foot of an outstretched Boumous for a goal kick.
5’ | FC Goa 0 – 0 Mumbai City FC
Adam le Fondre is put through by a gorgeous little pass from Hugo Boumous, and the Englishman thunders forward on the wing, but he’s unable to come up with a convincing cross. Goa counter immediately, and Igor Angulo finds himself with a yard of space on the left wing, just metres outside Mumbai’s penalty area. He squares the ball to Saviour, who hammers a shot at goal, but Amrinder had his near post covered, and he swats it away for a corner. Nothing comes off the corner.
2’ | FC Goa 0 – 0 Mumbai City FC
Aaaaand we’re underway! This one’s shaping up to be a real thriller of a contest folks, and my money’s on loads and loads of goals! Straightaway, it’s Mumbai who look more assured on the ball, but wait, scratch that, FC Goa almost get a really dangerous cross into the box! It’s Saviour who just meanders into the Mumbai City FC penalty area unchallenged, and fires a cross in, which is shepherded out by a couple of Mumbai defenders.
More Than A Game podcast: Which teams will reach ISL 2020-21 final and reactions to India men’s football squad
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 has finally entered its business end with four more matches to go before the final. The League Winners Shield champion Mumbai CIty FC face fourth-placed FC Goa in their two-legged semi-finals.
Click here to listen to our podcast in which we preview the knockout stages of the ISL and make some (very accurate, hopefully, maybe, I’m not sure anymore) predictions about the scoreline!
IN IT, TO WIN IT!💙#FCGMCFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/vRf9fbo9nE
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 5, 2021
Just 10 minutes to go!
via GIPHYWho are you backing to win this? Let us know down below!
Who will gain an advantage with a win in the first leg? #ISL #FCGMCFC
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 5, 2021
LIVE: https://t.co/6ldrVRQA0H
Goa will miss the creative abilities of Alberto Noguera, who leads the league in assists but is suspended for this match.
Here’s how it ended the last time these two met!
Bartholomew Ogbeche and Adam le Fondre have both been banging in goals for Mumbai, and they both start today! Is another goalscoring display from Mumbai on the cards?
And here’s the FC Goa Starting XI!
TEAM NEWS! 😍@jorgeortiz92 and @PrincetonR_11 are back in the line-up as Coach @JuanFerrandoF names his side for this big game. 💪🏻
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) March 5, 2021
VAMOS GOA!#RiseAgain #FCGMCFC #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/1USxJm5g7q
Here’s how Mumbai City FC line up!
Here's your team news for tonight's crunch first leg semi-final at the Fatorda! 🚨#FCGMCFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/qAbIPCxNKl
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 5, 2021
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the ISL playoffs!
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. Stay tuned for all the latest updates!
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