AIZAWL: After upsetting the ‘Champions of India’, Bengaluru FC in the last round, ‘underdogs’ Aizawl FC are all set to host Sporting Club de Goa in the first leg of their semi-final clash in the Hero Federation Cup 2016 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl, Mizoram on May 10, 2016. The kick-off for which is at 3PM IST.

The morale has reached a pinnacle in the Aizawl FC camp after they upset Bengaluru FC, defeating the Hero I-League Champions 5-3 on aggregate and with the first leg of the Hero Federation Cup semi-finals commencing in their home ground, Aizawl FC would be looking for nothing but a win against Sporting Goa come tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Sporting Goa defeated Mumbai FC in the last round and would be hoping to get some away goal under their belt, which might prove vital for the return leg which is slated to kick-off on May 15, 2016 in Goa.

Joel Sunday has been a wildcard for Aizawl FC this season and with the lanky forward in red-hot form, Aizawl FC would bank on his services for giving them an early lead which might prove to change the whole complexion of the match, given Sporting Goa’s bad run of form infront of goal.

Speaking in the Official Pre-Match Press Conference, Aizawl FC Head Coach Jahar Das said, “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 Goa’s Head Coach Matues Costa acknowledged the threat that Aizawl FC possess 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 cent percent if we have to get something from the match”

“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.

“I hope our team will have good communication on the pitch tomorrow. We must play to the best of our abilities if we have to grab a win in tomorrow’s clash,” Alfred Kemah Jaryan informed.

With Aizawl FC riding high after their stellar win against Bengaluru FC in the last round, all eyes would be on Jahar Das’s squad to see how the North East Club fares against Sporting Goa in the semi-finals of the Hero Federation Cup.