AGENCIES, JAMSHEDPUR: FC Goa romped to their third straight victory, putting Jamshedpur FC away 3-0 in another clinical display at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur to climb to third on the league table, on Sunday. 

Ferran Corominas’ brace and a late Manuel Lanzarote goal put the men of steel to the sword and took the Gaurs to their third semi-finals in the past four years. Coro has now scored an incredible 18 goals in 18 games in the league with Lanzarote not far behind on 12.  

Things didn’t go to plan though for Steve Coppell and his charges as goalkeeper Subrata Pal was sent off on the 7th minute mark. Manuel Lanzarote launched a superb long ball from inside his own half towards Ferran Corominas who gave chase but appeared to lose the race as Pal came bursting off his line to punch the ball away. Unfortunately, the keeper’s punch was outside the box and the referee immediately blew his whistle and showed the goalkeeper a red card, giving the visitors a massive boost so early on in the contest. Lanzarote stepped up to take the resultant free-kick from a good position but hit his attempt over the crossbar.  

As the half wore on, the men in blue began to dominate the hosts and they were finally rewarded in the 29th minute. Hugo Boumous received the ball on the right flank and threaded a peach of a through ball down the wing towards Seriton Fernandes who rolled the ball across the face of goal for Coro who tapped into an empty net. 

FC Goa suffered a blow in the second period with Hugo Boumous being replaced by Edu Bedia. The Moroccan midfielder pulled up with injury just before the end of the first period and had to be taken off. 

Things got from bad to worse for the men of steel thereafter. Lanzarote picked the run of Coro to perfection with a sublime long ball. The Spanish striker beat the offside trap, charged forward and trapped the ball with stunning panache, tapping it past Ghosh easily after that to score his 17th goal.

FC Goa were rewarded for the third time for their persistence. Mandar received the ball on the left and played the ball to Coro who took a touch and found an unmarked Lanzarote in the box. Edu ran across and faked a touch superbly to throw off a defender, giving his compatriot enough time and space. The attacking midfielder took a touch and calmly slotted the ball past Ghosh with his right foot.

In a surprise turn of events however, Naveen Kumar was sent off against the run of play for the exact offence that his compatriot was guilty of earlier.