Preview: SC East Bengal, FC Goa look to end winless streak in ISL

Both sides are yet to register their first win in the ongoing ISL 2021-22 season.

Bottom dwellers SC East Bengal and FC Goa will take on each other in their next game in Indian Super League (ISL) on Tuesday. Both sides are yet to register their first vicotory of the league season and are looking forward to turn the tables on their favour in the upcoming match.

SC East Bengal has had a couple of decent performances - including their recent goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC. They showed excellent defending sturdiness and intent during the clash. On the other hand, FC Goa are going through a rough patch as they have lost all of the matches in the league this season.

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The Stakes

SC East Bengal

In only their second season in India's top-flight, the Red and Gold Brigade are yet to announce themselves to the others. It has been quite a task for their new head coach Manolo Diaz to find the right mix of players. After last season’s performance, fans of the club were hoping things would start afresh this time around. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case - at least so far. The Kolkata-based side secured a hard-fought point against Chennaiyin FC. This came after enduring two heavy defeats against arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC.

Naming the right starting XI will be key to winning the match for SC East Bengal. Diaz will be hoping that his team gets off the mark against FC Goa.

FC Goa

In terms of last season's performance, FC Goa’s story is completely different when compared with a team like SC East Bengal. Achieving a fourth place finish, doing well in AFC Champions League (ACL) 2021 and winning the prestigious Durand Cup was quite a successful campaign for the Goan team. They were deemed one of the favourites ahead of the 2021-22 season, but the opinion didn’t take long to change. Juan Ferrando’s team are yet to register a single point this season.

Three losses on the trot surely must have impacted the team’s morale, but that can only make them hungrier against SC East Bengal.

Team News

Arindam Bhattacharya missed their last couple of matches, with Suvam Sen replacing him between the sticks. Winger Jackichand Singh is also injured, and hence will be out for contention. Mohammed Rafique seemed to have picked up a knock in their last game, but should be available.

For FC Goa, Brandon Fernandes remains unavailable. Forward Airam Cabrera is also out with an injury.

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Head-to-Head

Both teams played each other twice last season as both matches finished in 1-1 draws. SC East Bengal and FC Goa are yet to register their maiden wins against each other.

Probable Line-ups

SC East Bengal: Suvam Sen (GK), Hira Mondal, Mrcela, Adil Khan, Lourenco, Darren Sidoel, Sourav Das, Mohammed Rafique, Bikash Jairu, Daniel Chima, Antonio Perosevic.

FC Goa: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (GK), Sanson Pereira, Alberto Noguera, Jorge Ortiz, Princeton Rebello, Dylan Fox, Romario Jesuraj, Nongdamba Naorem, Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez (C), Glan Martins. 

Man to Watch

Daniel Chima (SC East Bengal)

The Nigerian has upped his ante every time he stepped on to the field so far. After his brace against Odisha, he showed immense composure and strength in the outing against Chennaiyin FC. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet that night, he was pivotal in causing problems for the opposition centre-backs. This time, he will be hoping to add another goal to his books, and perhaps help his team clinch all three points.

Jorge Ortiz (FC Goa)

The Spanish forward was probably their best man against NorthEast United. His tenacious nature and technical ability can work wonders for his team. In the absence of players like Fernandes and Cabrera, he will have to step up and work his creative magic. He will be looking to help his team in any capacity possible and get their first win of the campaign.

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Did You Know?

• FC Goa’s Devendra Murgaonkar scored in this fixture’s first leg last season.
• SC East Bengal have just one clean sheet in their last four games, while Goa has none.
• In the ISL, SC East Bengal have not yet won a match where they were the first to score in the game.

Telecast

The match will kick off at 7:30 pm, and will be broadcasted on the Star Sports Network. You can also catch the game live on the Disney+Hotstar and JioTV apps.

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