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ISL 2021-22: 10 things to know about East Bengal vs FC Goa

Thus, this game represents an opportunity for both sides to get their season off and running with three vital points up for grabs.

Juan Ferrando

Bengaluru, December 7: FC Goa seemed to have found their attacking mojo back in their last Indian Super League (ISL) game against NorthEast United. The Gaurs dominated possession and imposed themselves time and again on the Highlanders.

However, a lack of precision in the attacking third and lapses in concentration at the back meant that Juan Ferrando's men had to come off empty-handed, yet again.

Three consecutive defeats to start the season was certainly not part of the plans for FC Goa, who had come into the season at the back of a strong Durand Cup campaign.

ISL FIXTURES | RESULTS | POINTS TABLE

Up against the Gaurs on Tuesday (December 7) night will be SC East Bengal, another team yet to taste victory in ISL 2021-22 season so far. In fact, the Red and Gold have gone without a win in the ISL since February, 2021.

Thus, this game represents an opportunity for both sides to get their season off and running with three vital points up for grabs.

Heading into Match 21 of ISL 2021-22 season at the Vaso da Gama Stadium, with FC Goa Media inputs, myKhel.com looks at 10 interesting factors about the match.

1. FC Goa are yet to defeat SC East Bengal in a competitive fixture. The two games between the sides in last season's ISL ended in draws. The only other time the two teams met was in the semi-finals of the 2018 Super Cup where the Red and Gold edged out the Gaurs 1-0.

2. In seven games combined this season, FC Goa and SC East Bengal are yet to score a goal from outside the box.

3. The three losses to open the season represents the worst start to an FC Goa season since 2016. The Gaurs lost their first three games that season as well - losing to Chennaiyin FC, FC Pune City and NorthEast United. Both the 2014 and 2016 seasons saw the Gaurs clinch only one point from their first four games. The Gaurs would be looking to turn things around like in 2014, when they finished second on the league table, one point behind Chennaiyin.

4. FC Goa has seen an average of 3.33 offsides being called against them (10 in three games), the highest amongst all teams this season). East Bengal have been flagged off-side on eight occasions in their four games.

5. While FC Goa have failed to record a victory in their last three games, SC East Bengal have not tasted victory in their last eight ISL encounters. Their last victory came in a 2-1 win over Jamshedpur in February.

6. FC Goa seemed to have found their attacking mojo back in their last game. After averaging a paltry two shots on target for their first two games, the Gaurs put the NorthEast United defence on alert, ending the game with 10 shots on target. East Bengal on the other hand averaged 1.75 shots on target in their opening four games.

7. No team has conceded more goals this season, at the time of writing, than SC East Bengal. Manolo Diaz's side has let in 10 goals (with eight from inside the box) in their opening four games, including six in one game against Odisha FC. FC Goa are close behind with eight goals conceded in their three games.

8. The Tuesday night encounter will see two sides which rely the most on crosses as an attacking threat coming face to face. FC Goa average a league-leading 12 crosses per game whilst East Bengal are in second place with 11 crosses executed per game.

9. Winning challenges has been a big issue for SC East Bengal and a big reason why the Red and Gold languish near the bottom of the league table. Manolo Diaz's men win on average 46 per cent of their challenges (61 challenges won of 137 per game), the lowest mark in the league. Goa had been the worst in the first two rounds. However, an improved display against NorthEast sees them move up the table in this regard and sees them move to midtable with a 50 per cent win rate (71 challenges won of 141 per game).

10. FC Goa are the most fouled side in the competition with the Gaurs seeing a total of 61 fouls committed against them - an average of 20.3 fouls per game. East Bengal, on the other hand, are the second least fouled team with an average of 5.5 fouls committed against them.

Story first published: Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 11:45 [IST]
Other articles published on Dec 7, 2021