Five FC Goa players to watch in ISL 2026-27 opener against Chennaiyin FC
FC Goa will open their 2026-27 Indian Super League campaign against Chennaiyin FC at PJN Stadium, Fatorda on 10 October, with kickoff listed at 7:30 PM. Gouramangi Singh has been appointed head coach of FC Goa after Manolo Marquez left for Mumbai City, and the Gaurs will field a significantly reworked squad for the season opener.
Both clubs arrive at the opening day following busy summer windows and with Indian coaches in charge — Gouramangi Singh at FC Goa and Clifford Miranda retaining the Chennaiyin post. The fixture rekindles a long-standing ISL rivalry between two of the competition’s early participants, and the match will be available live on YouTube, SonySportsNetwork and SonyLIV. Chennaiyin arrive with questions in attack after scoring 9 goals in 13 games last season, prompting several additions over the summer.
Jorge Ortiz returns to FC Goa from Mumbai City after a quiet 2025-26 season in front of goal; during his first stint at the club he scored 16 goals in 42 appearances. The 34-year-old’s memorable outings for Goa include a hat-trick against Chennaiyin in the 2021-22 season in a 5-0 win, and his experience will be central to Goa’s forward options.
Sandesh Jhingan is expected to anchor Goa’s defence and his profile combines physical presence with what the club describe as high footballing IQ. Last season he helped his side keep five clean sheets, winning 49 duels and making 95 defensive contributions, and he also scored an 88th-minute equaliser against Chennaiyin last season.
Christian Borrego Isabel, known as Chiki, joined FC Goa from Spanish club Cartagena and will be making his first move outside Spain; the 30-year-old brings a career spent in Spanish football. The starting centre-forward role is described as a toss-up between Chiki and Jorge Ortiz, with Chiki cited as the likely starter.
Francisco Feuillassier (Franchu) arrived from Kerala Blasters after contributing 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 league games when he joined KBFC midway through the 2025-26 season. The 28-year-old is a product of Real Madrid Castilla and made 2 senior appearances for Real Madrid in the 2017-18 season; FC Goa have signed him with the club noting his potential impact.
Chennaiyin’s summer business includes Ramon Tanque on loan from Persib Bandung, where he registered 8 goals and 3 assists in 28 games and helped Persib Bandung win the Indonesian league last season. Brison Fernandes and Ayush Chhetri both moved to Chennaiyin from FC Goa over the summer, creating several direct matchups to watch — notably Ramon against Sandesh Jhingan and Franchu facing Ayush Chhetri.
The ISL opener between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC is scheduled for 10 October at PJN Stadium, Fatorda with a 7:30 PM kickoff and will be shown live on YouTube, SonySportsNetwork and SonyLIV.