Top of the table clash awaits as FC Goa aim to enter semi-finals with sixth straight win, as MBSG target sixth consecutive home clean sheet
Kolkata, March 7: Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) will be playing FC Goa at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on March 8, at 7:30 pm IST.
The League Winners clash against the second-placed team in what promises to be a cracker of a contest, with both sides sealing their semi-final spots courtesy of their top-two finish. Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa have 53 and 48 points respectively from 23 games so far and this will be their last game of the league stage of the ISL.
MBSG have kept five consecutive clean sheets at home and a sixth consecutive one will see them become the first team to scale that peak in a single season. The Gaurs are on a five-game-long winning streak, marking it to be a game of two incredibly in-form teams.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Offensive Record
- Attacking Consistency: Mohun Bagan Super Giant have scored three or more goals in nine of their 23 league games this season. If they score at least three goals in this fixture, they will join FC Goa (2019-20) and Mumbai City FC (2022-23) as the only teams to achieve this milestone 10 times in a single season.
- Shot Accuracy: MBSG have made 137 shots on target in ISL 2024-25, the highest among all teams, and 22 more than FC Goa (115). Liston Colaco (31), Jamie Maclaren (19), and Manvir Singh (16) have taken the most on-target attempts amongst the Mohun Bagan Super Giant squad this season.
FC Goa’s Defensive Insights
- Penalty Concerns: FC Goa have conceded six goals via spot-kicks this season, the most by any team. Only Odisha FC (2019-20) and FC Goa (2022-23) have conceded more penalties in a single ISL season (seven each).
- Clean Sheets: The Gaurs have kept the third-most clean sheets (8) in the competition, including three on the bounce coming into this encounter.
Head-to-Head
The two teams have played nine matches against each other, with FC Goa winning thrice and Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerging victorious five times. Only one match has produced a draw.
Coaches Corner
“FC Goa are a very good team”
Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina praised FC Goa and the season they have had so far.
“FC Goa are a very good team. They have done a great season, and were engaged in a close fight with us throughout the campaign,” he said.
“MBSG concede very few chances and goals”
FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez acknowledged the defensive strength of Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
“We are playing against a team that concedes very few chances and goals. It’s the work of their entire defensive organisation,” he said.
Key Players & Milestones
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Lalengmawia Ralte has won exactly three tackles in each of his last three ISL appearances and has 3+ tackles in 10 games this season, the joint-most by any player. The 24-year-old has also made 15 clearances, 30 interceptions, and 118 recoveries.
- FC Goa’s Sandesh Jhingan, with 97 clearances this season, is three away from becoming the second FC Goa player to reach 100 clearances, after Odei Onaindia (108).
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Jamie Maclaren (11) is two short of becoming the second-highest goal scorer for the Mariners in a single ISL season. The 31-year-old has recorded 95 touches inside the opposition’s box.
ISL Fantasy
Subhasish Bose (5.1cr)
The MBSG defender has won the highest ISL fantasy points (192) in his team this season
Odei Onaindia (5.8cr)
The FC Goa defender has won the maximum ISL fantasy points (114) in his side this season
