Goa, April 20 (Hindustan Reporter) The excitement of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs will be at its peak when FC Goa hosts Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium this evening. Both the teams are gearing up for this match, as the winner will reach the semi-finals.
Goa finished the league stage at third place in the table with 45 points from their 22 matches. Goa will enter this match after winning four of their last five matches. In the last match between the two in ISL, FC Goa had defeated Chennaiyin FC 4-1.
On the other hand, despite the setback against FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC performed strongly throughout the season and made it to the playoffs. Chennaiyin FC have won three of their last five matches.
“It is true that FC Goa has never been a champion in the playoffs,” FC Goa Spanish head coach Manolo Marquez said in the pre-match press conference on Friday on the need for the team to give equal importance to the playoffs. The Shield was the most important because winning it gives a chance to play directly in Asia. However, at the end of the day it (the playoffs) is also a tournament which we should focus on.”
Chennaiyin FC's Scottish head coach Owen Coyle said before the match, “The FC Goa team we faced in season six was one of the best ISL teams ever, and we were very proud to knock them out over two legs in the semi-finals. Managed to do. It has nothing to do with this match but our real focus is on giving our best.”