FC Goa will look to secure their first win of the Juan Ferrando era when Mumbai City FC visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa. The Gaurs showed real promise in their season-opener against Bengaluru and would look to build on the momentum.

After having fallen two goals behind, the defending league champions rallied back to hold the Blues to a draw. And now they will look to take that momentum into their game against Mumbai City FC. 

The Islanders have gone through a rapid transformation this season after being taken over by the City Football Group earlier this year. A change in guard, aided by new investment saw former FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera being appointed as the man-in-charge for the Blues. 

The game is billed to be a feisty one after Lobera signed five former FC Goa players which included paying a record sum for last season’s Hero Of The League, Hugo Boumous. 

The visitors, however, come into the game on the back of a loss against NorthEast United – a game which saw the Islanders fail to hit a shot on target whilst seeing Ahmed Jahouh being sent off. 

FC Goa will look to add to their woes on Wednesday and here are 3 Gaurs you need to keep an eye out for heading into the contest:

#1 Igor Angulo

The Spaniard got off to a blistering start in his first game in the FC Goa shirt with a brace to his name.  And when you consider the fact that it was up against a team like Bengaluru FC, who kept 11 clean sheets in 18 games last season and have largely remained unchanged this season, the feat becomes even more eye-catching. 

The Gaurs were two goals down at the hour mark and seemingly headed to a loss in Juan Ferrando’s first game in charge. And then came Igor Angulo.

The Spaniard finished off an exquisite move with an even more clinical off finish to help Goa put a foot in the door in the 66th minute. And 3 minutes later, he was again Johnny-on-the-spot to chest in the equaliser from a superb cross from Alexander Romario Jesuraj.

Not many would put it against you if you drown the FC Goa no. 17 with superlatives after his first game in the FC Goa shirt. Angulo was always on the lookout for space beyond the Bengaluru FC backline and play on the shoulders of the last defender. And one should expect much of the same when he goes up against Mumbai. 

#2 Brandon Fernandes

A late start to the preseason owing to a knee injury that Brandon Fernandes had been carrying since March, meant the midfielder had to be content with a place on the bench for the Gaurs in the season-opener vs Bengaluru FC. 

Coming on for the last 30 minutes of the game, the FC Goa No. 10 helped change the dynamics of the game with some neat touches, turns and give and goes with Edu Bedia and Alberto Noguera in midfield. 

The game against Mumbai may come a bit early for Brandon to take in the whole 90 minutes, but there is no doubt that with him on the field, the Gaurs look even sharper. 

In 33 minutes, Brandon played 2 key passes and created 1 big chance – helping FC Goa fight back from 2 goals down to eventually secure a point against Bengaluru. With some game time under his bag, one can certainly expect him to play a bigger role in the game vs Mumbai. 

#3 Jorge Ortiz

Ortiz was another of the players who impressed in his first game for the Gaurs. The Spaniard provided some much-needed fizz on the FC Goa left-wing with his timely bursts of speed, combined with some neat dribbles. 

The winger took the game to the Bengaluru defence, with his speed and his bag of tricks to constantly pose a threat of breaking beyond the backline. Ortiz was both industrious as well as adventurous in his endeavours and was in fact, fouled 4 times in the game as his feet, on occasions, seemed to be too quick for the Blues’ to handle. 

Juan Ferrando would like to see more of the same from the 30-year-old in the game against Mumbai. Most likely to be up against young Mohammad Rakip, Ortiz will rely on his experience and guile to help FC Goa win that individual match-up and give the Gaurs an added advantage on the left flank.