Clash of contrasting styles in Dymos vs Goa ISL semis

New Delhi, Dec 10: Table-toppers FC Goa face fourth-placed Delhi Dymos FC in the first leg of the first semi-fil here on Friday with both teams aiming to take an initiative in the two-legged contest.

The return leg is on December 15 in Fatorda, Goa. Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata and Cheniyin FC will play in the first semi-fil in Pune on December 12.

The match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will prove to be another cerebral battle between Brazilian coaches — Zico of Goa and Roberto Carlos of Dymos.

Goa beat Dymos in the two group stage matches and will certainly enjoy a bit of psychological edge ahead of the hosts.

But Dymos will take heart from their consistent performances in the group matches this season under Carlos who has moulded the team into a disciplined outfit.

Dymos have scored the least number of goals (18) among the four semi-filists but Carlos’ has primarily built the team on tactical discipline and organisation.

They have conceded 20 goals in the group phase but worringly six in the last two matches.

Carlos will hope those were just aberrations as the former Real Madrid left-back has demanded a sound defensive organisation from his team and employed Norwegian great John Arne Riise at centre-back and Frenchman Florent Malouda at the heart of the midfield. IANS