Indian Super League 2022-23: FC Goa make easy work of Jamshedpur FC

Ravish Narvekar

Image: ISL Media

The win helped the Gaurs to climb to second place in the table.

Goals each from Iker Guarrotexena, Noah Sadaoui and Brison Fernandes secured an easy 3-0 win for FC Goa over Jamshedpur FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Thursday evening.

The Gaurs who had suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hyderabad FC had a couple of changes as their coach Carlos Pena brought in keeper Dheeraj Moirangthem and Syrian defender Fares Arnaout, whereas, Aidy Boothroyd made the same number of changes as Eli Sabia and Jitender Singh found their names in the starting XI for the Jamshedpur side.

It all started with an attacking football at jam-packed Fatorda Stadium as the home side took just two minutes to surge ahead. A short corner by skipper Brandon Fernandes was nicely delivered to Iker Guarrotexena in the box by Redeem Tlang with a back-heel touch. The Spanish attacking midfielder later clinically finished the ball in the net to send home fans into rapture.

A couple of minutes later, FC Goa’s Syrian centre-back Fares Arnaout suffered an injury and was later substituted by Glan Martins in the 11th minute. A few minutes before this, Jamshedpur’s Wellington Priori had a chance to level the terms but the Brazilian midfielder unleashed it over the crossbar.

A very next minute saw, the Gaurs doubling their lead as once again it was skipper Brandon who made an inch-perfect through pass to Noah Sadaoui who made no mistake to beat Jamshedpur’s keeper Rehenesh TP making it 2-0 for the home side.

At the other end, Priori had another opportunity to find the net but once again Jamshedpur medio repeated his action as the ball sailed over the frame. The next 10 minutes saw FC Goa’s forward Noah coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions but first Laldinliana Renthlei made a timely clearance. A few minutes later, Noah was in a commanding position to inflate FC Goa’s lead in the box but Jamshedpur defender Eli Sabia snatched the ball from the FC Goa forward with just their keeper Rehenesh at the stake.

The visitors had to wait till the end of the session to come close to scoring as Priori unleashed a powerful strike at FC Goa’s frame but their keeper Dheeraj Moirangthem brilliantly blocked it. The Brazilian midfielder once again found the ball at his feet inside the box but this time also he could not beat the FC Goa custodian with a fierce strike.

The Gaurs were unlucky not to inflate their lead in the added minutes of the session as Noah’s cross was smartly headed by Redeem from close but the frame rescued Jamshedpur as the ball rebounded off the crossbar which was later cleared by Jamshedpur defender Eli Sabia.

Down by goals, Jamshedpur gaffer Aidy Boothroyd made a couple of changes at the break as Pratik Chaudhari and Harry Sawyer replaced defender Sabia and Jitender Singh respectively. However, the inclusion of fresh legs could not make any changes to Jamshedpur as FC Goa were easily able to push the ball forward and forced the rival defender to be on the toe.

Close to the hour mark, Jamshedpur coach Boothroyd made two more changes as Boris Singh and Priori made way for Laldinpuia Pachuau and Jay Thomas respectively. The visitors had another opportunity in the 61st minute when Seriton Fernandes’ clearance deflect off the opponent and found well-placed Daniel Chukwu but the Nigerian forward could not make the best of the opportunity as his curling strike missed the target narrowly. They once again came close to reducing the margin when Jay sent a perfect corner to Sawyer who leapt high to win it but could not send the ball into the net.

The Goan side finally managed to increase their lead in the added minutes as Bedia sent a long cross to Saviour Gama on the left flank who dribble past an opponent and sent a low cross to just-in Brison Fernandes in the box. The Goan lad nicely controlled the ball before sending it in the back of the net from inside the box to make it 3-0 for his side.