Aizawl brace up for Sporting test in Fed Cup (Preview)

After beating I-League champions Bengaluru FC in the last eight stage, Aizawl FC will be brimming with confidence when they host Sporting Club de Goa in their semi-final first leg Federation Cup football clash at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday.

Morale has reached a pinnacle in the Aizawl camp after they pulled of a stunning 5-3 victory on aggregate against Bengaluru FC.

Sporting defeated Mumbai FC 2-0 on aggregate in their quarter-final. They would be eyeing to score away goal, which might prove vital for the return leg match on May 15.

Aizawl will now be looking for nothing but a win at their backyard in the first leg.

Joel Sunday has been a revelation for Aizawl this season and with the lanky forward in red-hot form, the hosts would bank on his services for giving them an early lead.

Speaking in the pre-match media conference Aizawl FC head coach Jahar Das said on Monday, "It is a game and whoever takes their chances will progress into the finals. We played well against Bengaluru FC in the last match and we will look to give a good account of ourselves against Sporting Goa too."

Sporting's head coach Matues Costa acknowledged the threat that Aizawl FC pose and claimed that the semi-final clash will be a litmus test for both sides.

"We have to put our best performance tomorrow. We will have to give our 100 percent if we have to get something from the match," he said.

"It will be a test of credential for us as well as for Aizawl FC, who possess the necessary players to hurt our chances of progressing into the finals," Costa added.

--IANS

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