Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
FATORDA: FC Goa advanced into the final of Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy with a 1-0 victory over CSD Defensa y Justicia at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Tuesday. Armando Sadiku's 38th-minute strike secured their place in the final.
Defensa began the match with a reduced squad, having only three substitutes on the bench due to a double red card in their previous fixture against Chennaiyin FC. This situation forced them to deploy their second goalkeeper as a midfielder. Meanwhile, FC Goa managed without their head coach, Manolo Marquez, who had departed for Hyderabad for international duties with India in the Intercontinental Cup.
Defensa’s Valdez Franco tried his luck from a distance, but FC Goa's goalkeeper Laximikanth Kattimani was equal to the task. FC Goa then took control in midfield. Borja Herrera delivered a low cross that went across the box with no one to tap it in. Moments later, Rowllin Borges fired a low shot that was cleared by a rival defender.
FC Goa’s persistence paid off in the 39th minute when Boris Singh delivered a cross from the right flank, finding Armando Sadiku. Sadiku chested the ball down and made no mistake, smashing it into the back of the net.
In the second half, Defensa adopted an aggressive approach in search of an equaliser, creating several chances. FC Goa came close to extending their lead when a swift pass from Borja Herrera set up Dejan Drazic inside the box.
Drazic controlled the ball and chipped it over the Defensa goalkeeper, but his effort was denied by the crossbar.
In the dying minutes, Defensa pressed hard in the attacking third, but FC Goa’s defence held firm, securing a 1-0 win and a spot in the final.