FCG vs PUN Match Details
Date: Monday, 2 October 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Goa
FCG vs PUN Match Preview
FC Goa faced back-to-back disappointments of not making it to the playoffs narrowly by just three points. They eventually ended in eighth which was a lot better than their ninth-place finish last year with only 19 points collected from 20 games that time. Even though the chances of playoff qualification was extended to the top six teams from four last season, Goa still not going to the next round was a huge worry. The club struggled for consistency, therefore, there have been significant changes both in terms of players and the head coach. A title winner with Hyderabad FC, Manolo Marquez has taken the hot seat with national teamers like Udanta Singh, Rowlin Borges and Sandesh Jhingan. While also picking one of the best foreigners in positions in the league with Odei Onaindia and Carl McHugh. New arrival Carlos Martínez, or Carlitos, has shown his scoring instinct in the Durand Cup and will partner the sensational forward Noah Sadaoui. FC Goa already looks like a decent force just missing out on the final of the cup competition and will bring momentum to ISL. Their opening game against Hyderabad FC got postponed due to players released for the Asian Games. So, they will start their venture against the first promoted side Punjab FC instead.
The I-league winners got the taste of being in the big times losing 3-1 to the ISL trophy holders Mohun Bagan Super Giants at Kolkata in the history-making match for them. While the results were evident because of the quality the opposition possessed and Punjab FC not having their foreign arrivals, there was plenty of positive to take from the defeat. They troubled the Mariners for a brief spell of time including pulling one back when Glan Martins gave an absolute gift of a back pass to I-league’s top scorer Luka Majcen to score. Asish Pradhan’s goal from a free-kick at 2-1 shortly after was ruled out for offside. If Manvir Singh had not scored for the home side coming off as a substitute, things could have been different. Punjab FC will hope to improve in the second game but will run into another top side in FC Goa. The Gaurs, whom they will play for the first time, are not only playoff contenders but aiming for titles with the squad they have built. Staikos Vergetis will want his players to pull off a miracle and not let it settle in the opposition’s first match of the season on Monday.
FCG vs PUN Predicted Lineups
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Seriton Fernandes, Sandesh Jhingan, Odei Onaindia, Jay Gupta; Rowlin Borges, Carl McHugh, Brandon Fernandes; Udanta Singh, Carlos Martinez, Noah Sadaoui
PUN: Kiran Limbu; Suresh Meetei, Dimitrios Chatzisais, Nikhil Prabhu, Mohammed Salah; Prasanth K, Brandon Valalremdika, Asish Pradhan, Juan Mera; Luka Majcen
FCG vs PUN Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Dheeraj (8)
DEF: Seriton (8), Jhingan (8.5), Odei (8), Suresh (8)
MID: Fernandes (9), Brandon (8), Noah Sadaoui (8)
FW: Mera (8.5), C Martinez (7.5) Majcen (9)
Vice-captain: Carlos Martinez
Captain: Noah Sadaoui
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
