ISL 2017/18: FC Pune City take on Bengaluru FC, FC Goa face Chennaiyin FC in semifinal
With the top four spots on the table sealed confirmed, the ISL tournament authorities have finally released the fixtures list for the semifinals.
Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa and FC Pune City have made it to the last four stages of this season's ISL and will be fighting it out for the trophy next week.
The semifinals are set to be a two-legged affair, with the first-placed side (Bengaluru FC) taking on the fourth-placed side (FC Pune City), while the second-placed side (Chennaiyin FC) face the third-placed team (FC Goa).
The two that have finished higher than their respective semifinal opponents -- Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC -- get the further advantage of playing the second leg of the tie at home.
Here's the fixtures lineup for the semifinals:
Bengaluru FC have been on rampant form this season, and have by far been the best of the lot, despite this being their debut season in the ISL. They have impressed in all departments, right from their forwards, to the midfield, and their defence. Forwards like Miku, Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh have given them a lot of impetus in attack, while the likes of Erik Paartalu has been a rock in front of the defence.
While they face fourth-placed FC Pune City, the Stallions have a lot of firepower of their own, in the form of strike partners Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro. Ranko Popovic's side has shown a lot of potential to rip sides apart, but they have been inconsistent in the league so far. They will be looking to go all the way, as they enter the semis for the first time in the history of the club.
The second semifinal will be a replay of the 2015 ISL final between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC. While that was a match that ended in a scuffle, the two sides have played some good football this season and will look to continue that in the semis.