Mohun Bagan Super Giant-FC Goa match-up in second semifinal

KOLKATA: Former champions FC Goa (FCG) face home-side Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), in what promises to be a thrilling second semifinal here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Thursday. Both teams have been in rousing form recently and the only advantages that MBSG will have on Thurs-day evening will be the roaring support of the expected 30,000 plus home fans in the stands and their recent famili-arity with the VYBK turf and environment over their opponents.

Mohun Bagan and Goa have had contrasting paths to the semifinals. While the Manolo Marquez schooled Gaurs, topped Group D in Guwahati, remaining unbeaten and scoring a whopping 15 goals so far in their campaign, including an impressive 4-1 win over Chennaiyin in the quarters, the Green and Maroons suffered a reverse to Emami East Bengal in the group stages to qualify second from Group A. An equally impressive 3-1 win over Mumbai City FC in their quarterfinal, coming on the back of two fluent AFC Cup victories will however have reinstalled belief in the side."

That belief was reflected in MBSG’s newest Australian striker Jason Cummings, when he said after pre-match training: We are the best team in India. We have the potential to beat any other clubs. We have 7-8 good National team players. Even the foreigners are also working hard to give their best. After defeating Mumbai we got back the much needed confidence.

"So we are confident again to defeat Goa. Reaching the Durand Cup final will be our first target. That is our main focus now. If we can win a trophy before the ISL and the AFC Cup then it gives extra confidence to the team. We will try to do that." IANS

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