Football
ISL 2019: Coro-less FC Goa suffer first loss of the season, Jamshedpur climb to 2nd
A calm and composed finish by Sergio Castel gave Jamshedpur FC a much-needed victory against title favourites FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. Ahmed Jahouh’s red card left the Gaurs with ten men for the last 18 minutes of the football match and that took a toll on Sergio Lobera's side.
The starting minutes of the game was a cagey affair with plenty of fouls and both teams trying to break each other’s defences. Jahouh, Goa's reliable medio, picked up his first yellow card as early as the sixth minute after a clumsy tackle on Noe Acosta.
The Goa crowd was stunned after ten minutes when Farukh Chaudhary’s cross found the top-scorer of the Indian Super League (ISL) season 6, Sergio Castel, in the box. The Spanish striker pulled off a delightful fake to deceive Mourtada Fall before slotting the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
Goa tried to hit Jamshedpur back with their attacking plays and set-piece routines but nothing worked for them on Tuesday night. The home team came closest in the 43rd minute when Edu Bedia’s cross was brilliantly saved by the veteran goalkeeper, Subrata Paul off the line but still, they could not get on the scoresheet.
FC Goa looked to get into their groove and constantly threatened the Jamshedpur defence from the right-flank with frequent crosses but in the absence of Ferran Corrominas, they lacked their most potent finisher. Manvir Singh, striker for the night, took just two shots in the match and both were off target.
Jahouh was constantly playing with fire throughout the game. The midfield stalwart survived a close call in the 64th minute. Eight minutes later he was handed the marching orders by the referee, R Venkatesh, with another tackle on the galloping Noe Costa.
Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Indian footballers in an Indian League — How Sergio Lobera is revolutionising ISL
The hope of a comeback was dealt a huge blow and things got difficult for FC Goa. Despite playing with ten men, the hosts kept pushing for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be for the Gaurs.
FC Goa, with all their possession, could just force the Subrata Paul to make only five saves. The hosts were clearly missing their two-time Golden Boot winner and talismanic striker Coro in front of the goal. With the victory, the Red Miners jumped to the second spot just behind ATK on goal difference.
