AGENCIES, MUMBAI: FC Goa left it late to win the battle between the two Indian Super League sides as the young Gaurs defeated Bengaluru FC 2-1 on day two of the PL-ISL Next Generation Mumbai Cup 2020 at the Reliance Corporate Park, Navi Mumbai here on Tuesday.
The Goans looked comfortable in possession-play from the very outset, as Rayan Menezes, the Junior Gaurs’ central midfielder remained pivotal to keep the game ticking from the centre of the park
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Bryson Pereira finished off a flowing move that had originated on the right flank in the 11th minute, all thanks to some rigid build-up play. Bengaluru FC kept trying to restore parity but were unable to do so in the remainder of the first half.
After the restart, the Young Blues looked a much better attacking outfit, with Monirul Molla spearheading their charge. However, their forays were contained impressively by an FC Goa rear-guard, which was marshalled admirably by the likes of Reezvon Sebastiao Fernades and Wesley D’Sa.
In the 46th minute though, Bengaluru FC got their equaliser when Yaphaithoi Magsatabam prodded home from close range. The ball broke to him after Prajay Gawde’s heroic goal-line clearance bounced off the crossbar.
In the final minute of regulation time, Rohan Mangaonkar scored with a 30-yard screamer to ensure that the Gaurs tasted victory for the first time in the tournament.
In the second match, FC Goa boys beat Reliance Foundation Youth Champs 1-0. FC Goa’s Merwin Domnic Fernandes scored the lone goal in the 39th minute.
In an All-English clash Chelsea beat Southampton 2-0.
Ato Ampah found success in the ninth minute as he steered his way into the box, showed innate control and curled the ball into the net.
Southampton did find the net shortly after Ampah’s goal but Ryan Chavez-Munoz’s effort was ruled out as an offside.
The match continued to remain equally competitive even in the second half, but the teams were at times unable to display that elusive finishing touch to the trouble the goalkeepers.
Jack Phillips scored the second in the dying minutes of the match.
Results
FC Goa (Bryson Pereira 11, Rohan Mangaonkar 50) Bengaluru FC 1 (Yaphaithoi Magsatabam 46); FC Goa 1 (Merwin Domnic Fernandes 39) Reliance Foundation Young Champs 0; Chelsea 2 (Ato Ampah 9, Jack Phillips 50) Southampton 0
