FC Goa take on ATK FC in their next Hero Indian Super League (ISL) encounter, and this top of the table clash has the makings of a classic.
Together with Goa now leading the ISL table, ATK has something to prove and will come up against a side that’s not short on confidence this year.
The Gaurs have appeared impressive since the season began and continued their good work against NorthEast United FC in Fatorda last time out. Another half blitz ensured that the points were made secure, and momentum is now firmly with the reigning Super Cup Champions.
In terms of ATK, their defeat to Kerala Blasters leaves them in a spot of bother, and despite playing at home against FC Goa next, Antonio Lopez Habas’ guys will have their work cut out for them.
As the game rolls in, here are three players from FC Goa who could make the difference at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata:
Mohammad Nawaz
FC Goa kept a clean sheet against NorthEast United last time out, and lots of the credit for it needs to go to Mohammad Nawaz.
Not for the first time this year, the Goa custodian was in sparkling form, and after a slight mistake against Bengaluru FC, Nawaz was back to his best at Fatorda.
The Manipuri has kept four clean sheets this season, and maintaining one against ATK away from home would be still another feather in his cap during a yearlong period for the goalkeeper.
Coming up against the goal scoring prowess of Roy Krishna will surely not be an easy task, but if anyone can stop the former ISL Champions from scoring, it’s Mohammad Nawaz.
Hugo Boumous
Hugo Boumous has been one of the standout players to the Gaurs this season, and his impact continues to propel the team forward.
The Frenchman was on goal during the defeat against Bengaluru FC, and his silky skills were on display again when the Gaurs beat the Highlanders at home.
He will need all that and more against a difficult ATK midfield in the next game however, and Hugo’s natural ability suggests it might not be such a challenging task for the midfielder.
Four goals from eight games for Boumous makes him among the most prolific players in the FC Goa squad, and his willingness to get forward could lead to goals for the Gaurs against ATK.
Coro
Call him what you want, the course of Ferran Corominas is incontrovertible.
His Midas touch in front of goal has been crucial to what the Gaurs have attained in a short period of time, and the club would need his goal scoring form to continue even against ATK.
Coro won a penalty and scored it against NorthEast United, but that was not the only opportunity the Spaniard managed to muster up during the match, which bodes well considering he is always one of the conspicuous players on the pitch.
ATK will have a game plan to try and stop Coro, however, the striker has shown that nothing fazes himand scoring against the ISL giants would be the icing on the cake for the league’s leading scorer.
