Chennaiyin FC Faces Challenges in First Home Match of 2025-26 ISL Season The last time Chennaiyin FC played at home — against Jamshedpur FC on March 9, 2025 — the Indian Super League operated under familiar conditions. However, the league has since undergone significant changes, including financial restructuring, which has impacted the team’s preparations for its first home game of the 2025-26 season. The match against FC Goa on Sunday will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where the pitch conditions are described as non-ideal, marking a departure from previous home games. Despite the challenges, Chennaiyin FC head coach Clifford Miranda has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt. Miranda’s primary concern, however, lies with the team’s attacking output. Chennaiyin has managed only two goals in four matches so far, a statistic that highlights their struggles to break down defenses. “We’ve been working on different structural aspects to bring more consistency in attack,” Miranda said during a press conference on Saturday. He acknowledged the team’s tentative approach in critical moments, emphasizing the need for improvement in scoring opportunities. While the pitch conditions are not a major issue, Miranda noted that they have been less than optimal compared to past seasons. Chennaiyin’s performance has left them in 11th place in the league table, with four points from four matches. The team’s inability to capitalize on chances has been a recurring problem, and Miranda stressed the importance of addressing this weakness. “At times, we’ve been a bit tentative on the ball in those areas. Hopefully, we can correct that and start scoring,” he said. FC Goa, meanwhile, has shown more promise, sitting fourth in the table with nine points from five matches.#chennaiyin_fc #jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #fc_goa #manolo_marquez #clifford_miranda
Unbeaten FC Goa face Punjab FC FC Goa will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face Punjab FC in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, March 16, 2026. The match is set for a 19:30 IST kickoff and will be broadcast live on FanCode and Sony Sports TEN 2. FC Goa, currently fourth in the league table with eight points from four matches, have remained undefeated in their opening four games of the season, securing two wins and two draws. Punjab FC, meanwhile, are eighth with four points from three matches and have also maintained an unbeaten record in their last two fixtures. The Goan side’s recent draw against East Bengal FC in Kolkata ended 0-0, while Punjab were held to a 1-1 draw by NorthEast United in New Delhi. Ahead of the encounter, FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining their attacking style and possession-based play. “Against East Bengal, the team played with a lot of personality and kept possession for long periods. We would like to continue playing in the same way against Punjab,” he said. Márquez also praised Punjab’s defensive resilience, noting, “They are a strong side that plays with intensity and pace and they have started the season well. It will definitely be a challenging match for us.” Punjab FC head coach Pangiotis Dilmperis acknowledged the need for improved finishing and decision-making, citing their previous match against NorthEast United. “We delivered the ball into the opponent’s box 26 times while they entered ours only twice. We must improve our finishing and decision-making to convert those opportunities into goals,” he said. Dilmperis also expressed respect for FC Goa, stating, “They are a very good team with a clear plan and strong players.#jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #punjab_fc #fc_goa #manolo_marquez #pangiotis_dilmperis
ISL: FC Goa ready for Punjab’s big push FC Goa have never lost to Punjab FC in their history, but the encounters have always been tightly contested. Over six meetings, Punjab has taken the lead in three of them, only for Goa to overturn the deficit. A memorable match saw a disallowed goal by Luka Majcen, while another ended in a 3-3 draw in Delhi. A dramatic late comeback in the 2025 Super Cup, where Borja Herrera equalized and Mohammed Yasir scored in added time, highlighted Goa’s resilience. Coach Manolo Marquez admitted the upcoming clash against Punjab would be the most challenging of the five matches in the ISL. “Punjab have the same coach, a very good one, and most of the Indian players have continued,” Manolo said during a pre-match press conference. He noted that conversations with his players during the national camp revealed their high training intensity, which translates into their game approach. Goa’s unbeaten run in four matches so far has been built on solid defensive performances, with only one goal conceded in their opener against Inter Kashi. The backline, anchored by captain Sandesh Jhingan and Pol Moreno, has been nearly flawless, but the lack of goal-scoring from domestic players remains a concern. Three of Goa’s four goals have come from foreign players, including two penalties scored by Dejan Drazic. Moreno also contributed with a crucial goal against Mohammedan Sporting, converting a corner kick. Manolo acknowledged the struggles of Indian forwards, citing missed chances by Ishan Pandita, Boris Singh, Udanta Singh, Raynier Fernandes, and Brison. “There have been clear opportunities, but bad luck has hindered results,” he said. Despite this, he praised the progress of his Indian players, emphasizing the importance of giving them more playing time.#punjab_fc #fc_goa #manolo_marquez #island_super_league #sandesh_jhingan
FC Goa Clinches Record Third AIFF Super Cup FC Goa secured their third AIFF Super Cup title after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over East Bengal FC in the final of the 2025-26 tournament. The match, held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, ended 0-0 after extra time, with FC Goa winning 5-6 on penalties. The result extended their unbeaten streak and marked their first major trophy since joining the Indian Super League. The final saw both teams battle fiercely, with East Bengal aiming to bounce back from a 1-2 home defeat against Jamshedpur FC earlier in the season. FC Goa, meanwhile, sought to maintain their unbeaten run, having previously defeated Sporting Club Delhi 1-0 in their last league match. The Gaurs’ victory in the shootout was celebrated as a testament to their resilience and depth, particularly with key players like Dejan Dražić contributing crucial moments in the campaign. East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón emphasized the team’s focus on winning rather than drawing, stating, “Our philosophy is to play to win, not to draw. That sometimes means taking defensive risks. We will analyse and adjust, especially against a team like FC Goa who compete for possession.” Despite their efforts, East Bengal fell short in the final, though they remain fifth in the league table with six points from three matches. FC Goa, currently third in the standings with seven points, faced challenges throughout the season due to injuries to players like Saúl Crespo, Kevin Sibille, Mohammed Rakip, and Naorem Mahesh Singh. Head coach Manolo Márquez highlighted the importance of managing young talent, saying, “It’s very important to push players mentally and give opportunities, especially to young players.#vivekananda_yuba_bharati_krirangan #east_bengal_fc #aiiff_super_cup #fc_goa #manolo_marquez
