Bengaluru (Karnataka), India, April 1 (ANI): On Wednesday at 7:30 PM IST, Bengaluru FC (BFC) will welcome FC Goa (FGC) to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium for the opening match of their semi-finals series in the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2024-25.
The Blues advanced to the semi-final following a decisive 5-0 win over Mumbai City FC in the single-leg elimination match. In contrast, the Gaurs secured the second position in the rankings, amassing 48 points across their 24 regular-season fixtures, according to the ISL press statement.
FC Goa, nonetheless, has maintained an undefeated streak spanning four games against Bengaluru FC — securing two wins and two draws during this time. However, they previously encountered a defeat in their last playoff match against the Blues, suffering a 0–1 loss in the ISL 2018-19 finals.
In the meantime, Bengaluru FC has an impressive home performance against FC Goa, remaining undefeated in their past six matches, with four victories. The previous two encounters at this ground ended in ties, and FC Goa aims to improve upon this as only Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC have played more games here without achieving a victory (each with seven matches).
Bengaluru FC has not lost in their past two playoff encounters (W1 D1). Their previous longest undefeated streak occurred from March 2019 through 2020 when they secured victories in three successive matches without conceding a single goal.
Head coach Gerard Zaragoza secured his maiden playoff victory in the ISL with their dominant 5-0 win against Mumbai City FC. Should his team claim another victory in this match, he would join an exclusive group as just the third manager in ISL history to win each of his initial two playoff matches, following Simon Grayson’s achievement in March 2023 and Petr Kratky’s in April 2024.
In their past two playoff games in the ISL, FC Goa has suffered defeats, with both losses being against Mumbai City FC in April 2024. Their previous longest losing streak during this phase of the tournament occurred from March 2019 to February 2020, when they lost three times consecutively.
FC Goa have scored 22 goals in ISL playoffs history, the joint-second highest alongside Bengaluru FC, only behind Chennaiyin FC (25). Moreover, FC Goa lead the scoring charts in semi-finals history, netting 18 times.
FC Goa and Bengaluru FC have faced each other 17 times in ISL history. The Gaurs have won five encounters, while the Blues have emerged victorious on seven occasions. Five matches have ended in draws.
Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza acknowledged the competitiveness of the semi-finals.
"I’m eagerly anticipating it. I joined this club with the intention of winning titles, and we also have three strong additional teams competing in the semi-finals," Gerard Zaragoza stated according to an ISL press release.
FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed excitement at the possibility of taking the team to their first-ever ISL Cup win.
"I am extremely enthusiastic. My aim is to assist FC Goa in securing the ISL Cup for their inaugural victory," stated Manolo Marquez.
Sunil Chhetri of Bengaluru FC (with four goals) is just one strike away from becoming the sole top scorer in the history of this fixture in the ISL. Furthermore, he is only one goal behind matching his personal best for most goals scored in a single ISL season, which was 14 during the 2017-18 season.
FC Goa's Iker Guarrotxena has scored seven goals and provided three assists in the current ISL season. He is one goal contribution away from equaling his best-ever tally in a single ISL season (11 goals in 2022-23).
FC Goa's Brison Fernandes (7G, 2A) is one goal contribution away from becoming the first Indian player to register 10+ of them for FC Goa in a single ISL season. (ANI)
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