After playing out a goalless draw against Qatar's Al Rayyan in their maiden AFC Champions League group stage match, Indian Super League (ISL) outfit FC Goa take on Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday at Fatorda Stadium, Goa. (More Football News)
Boosted by the result, Juan Ferrando's men are set to approach their next game differently, hoping to earn three points against Al Wahda. The Abu Dhabi-based side hold the edge over, having a superior continental experience with 12 previous appearances in the ACL, but FC Goa will take confidence from the fact that they could hold at bay repeated attacks from a strong Al Rayyan.
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Al Wahda made it to the group stage after beating Iraq's Al Zawraa SC 2-1 in the play-offs. They are coming into Saturday's match after a 0-1 loss to Persepolis FC in their opening match on Wednesday.
FC Goa had limited chances in front of the opposition goal in their previous match and Ferrando wants his players to be more adventurous in the attack.
"We earned a point in the last match and we are obviously looking to improve and continue in the same way in our next match. It's important to have control in the way we attack, especially in the final third," said Ferrando said on the eve of the match. "The most important aspect here is to work as a unit and stay focused. We did what was needed in the first game. I'm happy with how the team played in defence and we needed some improvements in attack."
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The winners of each of the five groups and three best runners-up will advance to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.
Match and telecast details
Match: AFC Champions League, Group E match between Al Wahda and FC Goa
Date: April 17 (Saturday), 2021
Time: 8:00 PM IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa.
TV Channel: Star Sports 3
Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar, Jio TV
Starting XIs in the previous match:
FC Goa (vs Al Rayyan SC): Dheeraj Moirangthem (GK), Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Sanson Pereira; Glan Martins, Edu Bedia (C); Alexander Romario, Brandon Fernandes, Jorge Ortiz; Ishan Pandita.
Al Wahda (vs Persepolis): Rashid Ali (GK); Ahmed, Fares Juma, Pimenta, Al Kurbi; Esmael, Hamad, Lee; Khalil, Kharbin, Matavz.
FC Goa Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Dhas, Dheeraj Moirangthem
Defenders: Sanson Pereira, Seriton Fernandes, Leander D'Cunha, Ivan Gonzalez (Spain), Mohamed Ali, James Donachie (Australia), Aibanbha Dohling, Saviour Gama, Adil Khan
Midfielders: Edu Bedia (Spain), Glan Martins, Princeton Rebello, Brandon Fernandes, Phrangki Buam, Redeem Tlang, Makan Winkle Chothe, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Amarjit Kiyam, Romeo Fernandes
Forwards: Jorge Ortiz (Spain), Devendra Murgaonkar, Ishan Pandita.
