Durand Cup 2023: FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC eye semi-final spot

FC Goa have been a former champion of the Durand Cup.

After wrapping up the group stages of the ongoing 2023 Durand Cup as the toppers of Group D, FC Goa are set to face fellow-Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Chennaiyin FC in the quarter-finals of the competition.

The high-voltage encounter, featuring two full-strength teams, will take place at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium (IGAS) in Guwahati on Saturday. The Gaurs played all of their group games at the same venue.

Both teams are yet to suffer defeat in the competition this season. Chennaiyin FC have the better record between the two sides, having won all three of their Group E matches – against Hyderabad FC, Delhi FC and Nepal-based Tribhuwan Army FC. The Southerners, like Goa, also qualified to the Durand Cup knockouts as group toppers.

The Men in Orange, meanwhile, defeated Shillong Lajong FC 6-0 and Downtown Heroes FC 3-0, along with holding NorthEast United FC to a 2-2 draw in Group D.

“We’ve had a good start to the season, and that has helped in building our confidence as well. We’d now like to keep this going, and head to the ISL on a strong note,” FC Goa captain Brandon Fernandes said on Friday.

“Chennaiyin FC presents us with our toughest test so far in the ongoing Durand Cup. They did well in the group stage and are in good form. We had a good outing during our group stage as well, but we could have been better in terms of performance, both defensively and in terms of attacking.

“That said, we’re confident in ourselves, and can bring our a-game to the pitch tomorrow. We aim for nothing less than a win, and will give it our all,” he further added.

The FC Goa think-tank, led by head coach Manolo Marquez, has so far handed minutes to almost every player in the Club’s Durand Cup squad. New signing Carl McHugh is also expected to play a role for the Gaurs in the knockout stages of the competition.

With four goals in three matches which includes a hattrick against Shillong Lajong, Moroccan international Noah Sadaoui leads the attack for the Men in Orange. Carlos Martinez and Rowllin Borges have scored twice each so far.

In defence, the partnership between Odei Onaindia and Sandesh Jhingan continues to attract eyeballs. The pair have conceded just twice so far in the tournament, one of which was an unfortunate own-goal by the Indian international.

The FC Goa – Chennaiyin FC clash in the Durand Cup kicks off at 6:00 pm IST on Saturday. The match will be streamed live on SonyLIV. The live telecast of the game will be available across India, on the Sony TEN 2 TV and Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels.

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