Call it sheer good luck or just coincidence, but FC Goa playing the final of the Indian Super League this season in their home town just didn't look scripted, but that's the way it has panned out.
The Goa franchisee of the ISL became the first team to seal the berth in the ISL 2015 final, after a stunning display against Delhi Dynamos in the second leg game of the semi final. The Gaurs trailed by a goal after Roberto Carlos' men defeated Goa 1-0 at the national capital in the first leg.
However, Zico's side made a massive turnaround at home to record a stunning 3-0 result in the second leg, to make the aggregate score 3-1 in their favour.
On-paper, FC Goa look the better side against Chennaiyin FC in Sunday's ISL final, for two reasons. While the first one remains the home advantage, the second reason remains the team's immensely good showing this season. Zico's side lost just four games so far -- the lowest number of losses among the eight teams of the ISL.
The Gaurs also topped the table at the end of the regular league season matches. FC Goa have also lost just one game at home this season, and this comes as a major boost for Zico's side.
Joffre, Rafael Coelho, and Dudu Omagbemi remained the scorers for the team in their latest match, and on any given day, the midfielders are the ones who are working wonders for FC Goa. And there's no reason why the midfielders don't stand out for the team when you have one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Zico, as the head coach of the team.
All eyes now remain on the home side (which wasn't meant to be), as they aim to lift their first-ever Indian Super League trophy. FC Goa play Chennaiyin FC on 20 December at the JLN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
Chennaiyin FC key players: Leo Moura, Joffre (both midfielders), Reinaldo (forward).
Their journey to ISL 2015 finals:
15 Dec: Semi final 2nd leg -- FC Goa 3-0 Delhi Dynamos
11 Dec: Semi final 1st leg -- Delhi Dynamos 1-0 FC Goa
6 Dec: Delhi Dynamos 2-3 FC Goa
29 Nov: Kerala Blasters 1-5 FC Goa
25 Nov: FC Goa 1-1 NorthEast United FC
22 Nov: Atletico de Kolkata 4-0 FC Goa
17 Nov: FC Goa 7-0 Mumbai City FC
8 Nov: FC Pune City 2-2 FC Goa
5 Nov: Chennaiyin FC 0-2 FC Goa
30 Oct: FC Goa 1-1 FC Pune City
25 Oct: Mumbai City FC 2-0 FC Goa
22 Oct: FC Goa 2-1 Kerala Blasters
15 Oct: NorthEast United FC 1-3 FC Goa
11 Oct: FC Goa 0-4 Chennaiyin FC
7 Oct: FC Goa 1-1 Atletico de Kolkata
4 Oct: FC Goa 2-0 Delhi Dynamos
